as marine le pen and emmanuel macron make it through to the second round of the presidential election. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. a jury at the old bailey has found 26—year—old ali harbi ali, guilty of murdering the mp sir david amess and preparing acts of terrorism. the islamic state group fanatic carried out the "cold and calculating" murder at the veteran conservative backbencher�*s constituency surgery in leigh—on—sea, in essex last october. matt graveling is outside the old bailey for us now. the the old bailey for us now. 26—year—old told police was the 26—year—old told police that he was a supporter of the islamic state group and he wanted to go to syria to fight but when that was not possible, he wanted to send a message here. he chose to do that by killing an mp. you look for many different mps before deciding upon 69—year—old sir david who was tragically killed on the 15th of october of last year today, he stood trial on two counts, preparing acts of terrorism and the murderous or david, he was found guilty on both. it is the 15th october last year and in the leafy suburbs of leigh on sea a man has murdered an mp. they say he's got a knife. within minutes the first two officers arrive. they don't have guns, just batons. cautiously, they move in. can you show us, mate? stay back, yeah. ..to tackle the knife man. they have no stab vests. no other protective clothing. drop the knife. drop the knife now! on the floor! expletive. get him down! search him! at the moment you are under arrest for murder, all right. at southend police station the killer blurted out his motivation. ali harbi ali grew up in croydon in south london, he was clever, hoped to train as a doctor, but he became radicalised in his late teens by the islamic state group's propaganda. at first, he considered killing michael gove, then, carrying a knife, he started making trips to westminster, looking for other mps. this was an individual who had notjust committed an atrocious murder in southend, but who had crossed the line into criminality and serious preparation for terrorism. a couple of years ago. ali eventually settled on sir david amess as his victim almost by chance, as the mp for southend west had advertised his surgery on twitter. on october 15th, he set out from his north london home, taking the train to leigh—on—sea and calmly walking to the church, to murder the much—loved local mp. the murder here at belfairs methodist church rocked british politics. sir david amess was the second mp to be killed, in just over five years. his assassination and that ofjo cox risked undermining a fundamental principle of british politics, that mps should be easily available to those they represent. daniel sandford, bbc news, leigh—on—sea. he had looked at the list of mps before choosing his victim, including michael gove, jess phillips and dominic raab, but it was the 69—year—old sir david that he chose to kill on that day, lying to get to the constituency saying he wanted to talk about local hospitals. he then sent a message to family and friends before killing the mp that message said this attack is for the sake of, i apologise to my family for deceiving them and he apologised to sir david before pulling a knife and stabbing him 21 times. when police arrived, he was unarmed because he wanted to be shot and killed. he was not. he was arrested and stood trial here which concluded here with the jury taking just 18 minutes finding him guilty of both of those counts. let's speak to our reporter zoie o'brien who's in southend. the constituency where sir david was mp for a very long time. what is the reaction being there today for this verdict? , . . verdict? yes, i am here at the methodist _ verdict? yes, i am here at the methodist church _ verdict? yes, i am here at the methodist church and - verdict? yes, i am here at the methodist church and this, . verdict? yes, i am here at the methodist church and this, of| verdict? yes, i am here at the - methodist church and this, of course is where sir david held that final constituency surgery where he tricked his way into an people of the not suppressed at all about the guilty verdict and not surprised at all that it would only take 18 minutes for the jury to return because they were around on that day in many of them knew that there were people inside the church you witnessed this. many people are now focusing on the sentencing and very clear that they want this to be something that gives familyjustice. and they also say that there remember sir david has an incredible mp, family men and women would do anything she could for his constituents in the days after he was killed here, we were here and there was a sea of tribute and there is balloons and flowers and people just gathering to talk about the mp and everything he did for this area. people saying that actually, he would come to you if he felt he needed his help he would say i am the local mp, what can i do rather than have people come to him. you can see his— than have people come to him. you can see his face _ than have people come to him. you can see his face still around south and. �* . , ~ and. after he was killed here, there was a tribute painted a mural - and. after he was killed here, there was a tribute painted a mural down | was a tribute painted a mural down the skate park to him there. and there were people who really cared about him. and on march the 1st this year, south and was given city status as a tribute to him and all the work he did. people saying that is what they will remember. there remember everything he did for the constituency rather than those final few moments of his life.— few moments of his life. thank you very much- — president zelensky has told the south korean parliament that he fears tens of thousands of people are likely to have been killed in russia s assault, on the south—eastern city of mariupol. some civilians have managed to escape, heading north to the relative safety of the city of zaporishia, where they've been telling our correspondent, tom bateman, about their treatment, at the hands of russian troops. mariupol is a city of survivors, forced to live underground. people say they scavenge for food or walk miles for water. amid the siege, it is the elderly and disabled most trapped in the line of fire. 80—year—old valentina has just been evacuated further north. she is blind and was in her kitchen when a shell exploded. translation: it's a good thing that my children were home, i they picked me up, carried me outside and we left immediately. i don't know what happened to my house, if it burned down or anything, we don't have any communications. the calls are no longer going through. here, they're bringing in the wounded from all over the south. vasil was doing all he could to help his fellow villagers under fire. ferrying bread, sugar and medicines to the elderly. but moscow's war reached him at the roadside, and he rages at president putin. translation: we stopped, | i saw a bullet hit my window. as i wasjumping out of the car, i got blown up by a mine. we werejust living like normal people, we didn't ask anyone to come here. we didn't want this. what kind of liberty is he on about? because of him, i lost my leg. i lost everything. in towns even further north of here, there are now calls to evacuate. now, these people can feel some safety here, for now. but it might not be for long. and they know how merciless the russian assault is. thousands more have fled the fighting. they arrive at the aid shelters with nothing but the trauma of war. serhei's village was caught in the crossfire. he says the russian soldiers forced him into his home, demanding vodka, stealing his money, his phone, even his shoes. he says one put a gun to his chest. translation: he cocked his weapon and pulled the trigger, _ but the weapon had a stoppage. me and my wife were holding our hands together, we thought that's it for us. and we said our goodbyes with our eyes. but the round jammed. i picked up that bullet later and gave it to my godson as a memory of us managing to stay alive. he says he's sure he will go back home soon. shelled from a helicopter. ukrainians believe they've won the first stage of this war. but as russia pours troops into the east, they know the next phase will be decisive. tom bateman, bbc news, zaporizhzhia, in south—east ukraine. jenny hill is our moscow correspondent. earlier i asked her if we knew when new attacks on eastern ukraine might come. the kremlin doesn't tend to share those kinds of details with us and we know of course that they plan to intensify their efforts in the east of ukraine. they stated there and quite clearly and they want to liberated. and we don't know how and when this is going to happen but the signs do seem to point out that the intensification has already begun and there's a school of thought which says that vladimir putin wants to take the dawn bosse region by the ninth. it is very significant day where they commemorate the soviet victory over nazi germany. in the thinking goes that having presided over an invasion that has not gone to plan, vladimir putin could try to save face by telling russians on that day that he scored another historic victory as he would frame it by having taken some territory in eastern ukraine. lots of questions around but first of all, can he do it and does his military have the ability to take significant cements of territory there. but as of the end of the work was back with a be enough for vladimir putin? or will it embolden him to try and have another crack at taking the rest of ukraine? the language or continues to be really belligerent and we have heard from the foreign minister and heard from the foreign minister and he is saying that there will be no pause in the special military operations, they do not call it a war here, and there is no pause and that before the next round of peace talks in the city peace talks, it's hard really to argue that russia is particularly serious about those negotiations given the lack of cease—fire in the language that is coming out here still. as you know, vladimir putin has sought to justify his word ukraine by telling russians, it's all about defending russians, it's all about defending russian speakers in eastern ukraine from murderous regime in kyiv. it also telling russians that this is about russian troops defending russian against an aggressive neighbour which is helped out by an even more aggressive west and we have heard more of that from the foreign minister a little earlier said the aim of the special military operation is actually not to do not suffice demilitarised as were always being told, but also to make sure that america doesn't achieve world domination. this is what russians are being told about what is happening in the neighbouring country and thanks to a lack of independent media now, many of them are going to believe it. we independent media now, many of them are going to believe it.— are going to believe it. we know the austrian chancellor _ are going to believe it. we know the austrian chancellor was _ are going to believe it. we know the austrian chancellor was visiting - austrian chancellor was visiting vladimir putin the first european union leader to meet flood reporting since the start of the war. what does emerge from the stalks? nothing et and i does emerge from the stalks? nothing yet and i don't — does emerge from the stalks? nothing yet and i don't think _ does emerge from the stalks? nothing yet and i don't think we _ does emerge from the stalks? nothing yet and i don't think we can _ does emerge from the stalks? nothing yet and i don't think we can expect - yet and i don't think we can expect a great deal really as a development of that meeting. you know that the austrian chancellor wants to talk about potential cease—fires and corridors, and they have described it as a russian war of aggression and demand that it stop. a look at the evidence in front of us. crippling sanctions nor threats nor appeals from the international community have stopped vladimir putin yet. it is hard to see circumstances emerging this afternoon which would see any significant shift in the direction, i think. dmytro gurin is a ukrainian mp, who grew up in mariupol. hejoins us from ukraine now. thank you. what is left of the place where you grew up?— thank you. what is left of the place where you grew up? almost nothing. eve hinu where you grew up? almost nothing. everything is — where you grew up? almost nothing. everything is destroyed _ where you grew up? almost nothing. everything is destroyed in _ where you grew up? almost nothing. everything is destroyed in the - everything is destroyed in the neighbourhood where i grew up is totally destroyed and cannot be restored. in general, the neighbourhoods were destroyed because they are on the outer border of the city. and now they've destroyed almost all of the historical sites. and then they decided to make mariupol an example and what they will do next, we just don't know. and what they will do next, we 'ust don-t know.— and what they will do next, we 'ust don't know. , , ., , ., ., don't know. many people have died or had to leave — don't know. many people have died or had to leave their _ don't know. many people have died or had to leave their homes _ don't know. many people have died or had to leave their homes either- don't know. many people have died or had to leave their homes either for. had to leave their homes either for another country or part of ukraine. what impact is there going to be in terms of economic damage, notjust to mariupol but the rest of the country? i5 to mariupol but the rest of the count ? , . . to mariupol but the rest of the count ? , ., ., ., , to mariupol but the rest of the count ? ., ., , ., to mariupol but the rest of the count ? ., .,, ., ,, country? is a great trouble of gdp and this poor _ country? is a great trouble of gdp and this poor and _ country? is a great trouble of gdp and this poor and the _ country? is a great trouble of gdp and this poor and the decision - country? is a great trouble of gdp and this poor and the decision for| and this poor and the decision for this war in this conflict will be a military decision, not economical. and we can discuss what will be with the russian economy, ukrainian economy, european economy. the reality is, it is a question of who has more tanks and warplanes. because vladimir putin will not stop, he will not step back and he is now preparing for a big battle on donbas and he wants to destroy ukraine, that is his goal and now, we are really grateful for the help from the european union, america and most of all, united kingdom. but now, we need tanks, planes and also air defence, missile defence, because now the question of, the question of where we will finish this war on the territory of ukraine or if ukraine falls, this war will spread and then we will not only lose weapons, but also more people. so, to have weapons or with weapons on people. that is a question for everybody in european union and united kingdom. hose everybody in european union and united kingdom.— united kingdom. how likely is it that vladimir— united kingdom. how likely is it that vladimir putin _ united kingdom. how likely is it that vladimir putin will - united kingdom. how likely is it that vladimir putin will try - united kingdom. how likely is it that vladimir putin will try to i that vladimir putin will try to attack the capital kyiv again? it is re attack the capital kyiv again? it is pretty difficult _ attack the capital kyiv again? it 3 pretty difficult technologically for a military point of view because, we have a defence position around kyiv and to the north, and it will be very difficult but as we see the common sense is not something that is used to russia. in the attack on kevin the third and we understand that it kevin the third and we understand thatitis kevin the third and we understand that it is not a conventional war as it was the first week at the end of february when there was army against army. it is not even mass murdering like all in march and it was not. but bucha is closer to genocide because they stated that all of ukraine had to be an so, it is not the war, testing is ukraine, they just decided to kill us all. it is very, we don't understand here what is happened with them in 20 years of putin propaganda because they really act weird and they murder children, the rain of children. the loot and take everything, washing machines, teaching appliances. and we don't know why but the country, were discussing why did they defecate on kitchen tables and the apartments in bucha. it's really something weird with them now. your sense of disbelief is shared by many people all around the world. thank you so much. let's speak to our world affairs editorjohn simpson how great was the sense that they are waiting for a massive onslaught in the east?— in the east? really strong and there's a sort _ in the east? really strong and there's a sort of, _ in the east? really strong and there's a sort of, a _ in the east? really strong and there's a sort of, a bit - in the east? really strong and there's a sort of, a bit of- in the east? really strong and i there's a sort of, a bit of gloomy atmosphere and i sawjust there. a sense that the big blow is going to come in fact, i think the second stage may not be as damaging as russian would be able to launch when it started this whole thing. the failure to take kyiv is so important. but the russians are going to go all out to try to get mariupol. we heard about the 9th of may which is the anniversary of the defeat of nazi germany. absolutely impossible to think that victory parade is a major element of the russian year that it could go off without some kind of victory that they can present as being in the same tradition as the defeat of nazi germany. that's why rehearing all of this stuff about denazification and so on. . . this stuff about denazification and so on, ., ., ., this stuff about denazification and so on. ., ., ., j so on. that deadline that they're aimin: so on. that deadline that they're aiming for- _ so on. that deadline that they're aiming for. but _ so on. that deadline that they're aiming for. but what _ so on. that deadline that they're aiming for. but what extent - so on. that deadline that they're j aiming for. but what extent have they been sued to pleaded long supply chain and many people are saying it was unsustainable and force them into looking at a more focused part of the country is in the east? , , , , focused part of the country is in theeast? , ,_ �*, focused part of the country is in theeast? , . the east? the supply let's be much shorter and — the east? the supply let's be much shorter and for _ the east? the supply let's be much shorter and for the _ the east? the supply let's be much shorter and for the new _ the east? the supply let's be much shorter and for the new general, i shorter and for the new general, until now, something like two or maybe even three generals in command of the whole operation, it seems pretty crazy not to us but now it is being slimmed down and the general has been appointed to be in charge of the whole thing and often called the butcher of syria and in 2015, 2016 onwards, played a major part in simply hammering the civilians and the towns and cities that were resisting syrian government. i mean, it must mean the same tactics to eastern ukraine and deliberate artillery shelling in particular hospital, waiting while the fire brigade, the ambulances and so on come and then hit it again with the ambulance and the fire brigade are there. and you can see that it is going to get pretty nasty. plan war crimes than? _ going to get pretty nasty. plan war crimes than? yes, _ going to get pretty nasty. plan war crimes than? yes, it _ going to get pretty nasty. plan war crimes than? yes, it is. _ going to get pretty nasty. plan war crimes than? yes, it is. it- going to get pretty nasty. plan war crimes than? yes, it is. it is- going to get pretty nasty. plan war crimes than? yes, it is. it is beenl crimes than? yes, it is. it is been auoin on crimes than? yes, it is. it is been going on for— crimes than? yes, it is. it is been going on for six — crimes than? yes, it is. it is been going on for six years _ crimes than? yes, it is. it is been going on for six years now- crimes than? yes, it is. it is been going on for six years now and . crimes than? yes, it is. it is been i going on for six years now and syria but because syria was so much harder to get to, there was less international attention. given to the way the russians were running that campaign. much harderfor people to report on it. it's not so hard for people to report on what's going on now. hard for people to report on what's going on nova— hard for people to report on what's going on now. what is your reaction to what the — going on now. what is your reaction to what the mps _ going on now. what is your reaction to what the mps said _ going on now. what is your reaction to what the mps said where - going on now. what is your reaction to what the mps said where if - going on now. what is your reaction to what the mps said where if the i to what the mps said where if the west sends weapons but not troops in ukraine falls, this will spread. you must decide whether or not you want this war to spread or whether you would commit troops? that this war to spread or whether you would commit troops?— this war to spread or whether you would commit troops? that is a line that comes — would commit troops? that is a line that comes from _ would commit troops? that is a line that comes from president - would commit troops? that is a line that comes from president zelensky and it is aimed atjust pushing and pushing the west. i don't know that they actually really want to see western soldiers in ukraine because that means an all—out war with russia which would turn nuclear so very quickly or could do it at any rate. and i don't think anyone wants to risk that. but there is that sense in particular, germany and france are doing as much as ukraine wants them to and it is an appeal to the guilt factor and that is why they're so happy to see boris johnson there and offering the kind of weapons that they want. a conservative mp has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a 15—year—old boy at a party. imran ahmad khan, who represents wakefield, had denied groping the teenager at a house in staffordshire injanuary 2008. southwark crown court heard the 48—year—old forced the youngster to drink gin, dragged him upstairs and asked him to watch pornography before assaulting him. let's get more from our political correspondent nick eardley. told us a bit more about this in p. the big question now is what happens to him and whether or not he keeps his seat and a lot of that will frankly come down to how long his sentence is, if he is sentenced to more than a year in jail, sentence is, if he is sentenced to more than a year injail, he automatically loses his seat and it would be a by election and if he doesn't is given some other sort of custodial sentence, there will be a recall petition under with 10% say they signed a petition and then there will be a by election so there's a significant chance of there's a significant chance of there could be a vote in wakefield again in the next few weeks and it's real interesting to see politically as well because it is one that was won by the conservatives for the first time in decades 2019 and had been a part of the redwall, including with structure and whether the seats that historically would have a liver vote. and if there is a ijy have a liver vote. and if there is a by election, it will be for searcher starmer to see if he could take that back. at the moment, we don't know if there definitely will be a by election coming down to whatever happens with his sentence. labour are already saying that they think he should stand out from the seat, whatever happens and give constituents a chance to elect a new mp and the conservative party has suspended imran khan by this trial is ongoing and expects his expulsion now to be a simple formality. i do not expect them to remain a member of the conservative party in any way and if there was a by election, he would be a candidate for the party but in terms of what happens next, thatis but in terms of what happens next, that is really down to the sentencing. what are we looking at in terms of the weather? breaking cloud and some sunshine. it's been one of those really mixed days so far. transition days with showers around but some sunshine in the best of the sunshine so far today instead of crises to the country where i can confirm it will be quite warm. 18, 19 degrees across eastern areas that is warmer thanit across eastern areas that is warmer than it has been because it's been some chilly days in chilly nights as of late but it is warmer now. we do have more cloud and rain coming off the atlantic and sherry ray comes hand—in—hand and for eastern coasts with the wind of the north sea in once again is be frost free. and across this morning and that's because we have this atlantic flow with winds coming from the south and with winds coming from the south and with quite a bit of cloud you can see on tuesday. but stay with us because even though we have some quite heavy rain showers, it is likely to get drier as we approach the easter weekend. one thing to say it again if you do struggle with it as the pollen levels will be high across the eastern half of the country and i'll have more details just before the top of the hour. hello, this is bbc news with martine croxall. the headlines... a 26—year—old man is found guilty of murdering the former southend west mp sir david amess and also preparing acts of terrorism. ukraine's president zelensky warns of big battles to come against russian forces in the east of the country. the conservative mp forwakefield, imran ahmad khan, is found guilty of sexually assaulting a 15—year—old boy afterforcing him to drink gin at a party in 2008. two visions for france as marine le pen and emmanuel macron make it through to the second round of the presidential election. sport and a full round—up from the bbc sport centre with gavin. good afternoon. some news into us, in the last hour or so. uefa has ordered atletico madrid to close part of their stadium for their champions league quarter final clash with manchester city on wednesday. it's over discriminatory behaviour from the spanish club's fans last week in the first leg. the club have also been ordered to display a "no to racism" banner at the ground. city have a 1—0 lead in the tie. and attention is still in madrid where the holders chelsea are hoping to stay in the competition tomorrow against the la liga leaders real madrid. manager thomas tuchel says his side are allowed to dream in their attempts to overturn a two goal deficit. chelsea were beaten 3—1 at stamford bridge last week and have it all to do in the second leg. maybe not the biggest chance given the first game's result and given the first game's result and given the competition and the opponent and the competition and the opponent and the stadium will play in, but we never manage our input and our effort and our belief by the chances we have for a result. we never did and we will not start tomorrow. by giving less because it's very unlikely because we make it. jimmy anderson says he feels fresh and raring to go ahead of his lancashire side's county championship opener against kent this week. anderson is england's most prolific test bowler and was left out of the recent tour of west indies, which england lost. he says he's targetting wickets for lancashire to force his way back into the frame and still has the desire to keep going. i still love playing, i still love bowling. i still feel in great shape, i still feel i have got something to offer the sport. whether it's with lancashire or england. as long as i've got the drive, then i will keep going. it's something, i'm lucky i have had it for a while, that drive and passion to play the game so i willjust try to doing that. scottie scheffler proved just why he's golf�*s world number one after winning the masters by three shots. but rory mcilroy deserves much praise for his stunning final day at augusta that saw him equal the lowest final—round score in masters history. he ended up coming second after several birdies and an eagle but was ultimately too late to overturn scheffler�*s advantage. the fia — motorsport�*s governing body — is investigating after a 15—year—old russian karting champion appeared to make a nazi salute on a podium. artem severiukhin seemed to perform the offensive gesture after winning the first round of the european championship in portugal on sunday. the fia announced it had launched an immediate investigation into severiukhin's behaviour on monday and his team has since terminated his contract. and russian ex—f1 driver nikita mazepin has had assets including property worth more than £100 million seized by italian authorities. the former haas driver and his oligarch father dmitry were sanctioned following russia's invasion of ukraine. and today, italian financial police seized luxury properties on the north—east coast of sardinia. mazepin, who was sacked in march by us—owned f1 team haas, has been included in an eu sanctions list along with his father. and a new marathon has been launched to honour rugby league legend rob burrow and raise money to fight motor neurone disease. burrow was diagnosed with the condition in 2019, and together with his great friend kevin sinfield, he's raised millions of pounds for charity. the pair played together at leeds, and the race will start and finish at their home ground, headingley stadium, in may next year. we'll have more for you in sportsday at 6.30pm. thank you, gavin have a nice evening. you are watching bbc news. well, let's get more now on the news that jurors took just 18 minutes to find a man guilty of the murder of the conservative mp, sir david amess. the 69—year—old backbencher was stabbed to death during a constituency surgery in leigh—on—sea in essex last october. the old bailey heard 26—year—old ali harbi ali, who lived in north london, had also spent time planning attacks on other mps. we can speak now to richard hillgrove, a close friend of sir david who spoke to him just minutes before the fatal attack. richard joins us now from southend—on—sea. thank you very much forjoining us today. very difficult for many people of course who knew sir david. what is your reaction to the verdict? ., ., ~ , ., verdict? the whole thing makes a farce of the _ verdict? the whole thing makes a farce of the legal _ verdict? the whole thing makes a farce of the legal system - verdict? the whole thing makes a farce of the legal system that - verdict? the whole thing makes a j farce of the legal system that this person would say they are not guilty, get to court and gloat he has made the family relive the whole experience all over again. the legal process, all the evidence coming out in the open, it must be very painful for the family hearing the audio file. it's like the whole thing happening all over again, it is terrible. this happening all over again, it is terrible. �* , happening all over again, it is terrible. r terrible. as we said, you were talkin: terrible. as we said, you were talking to _ terrible. as we said, you were talking to him _ terrible. as we said, you were talking to him on _ terrible. as we said, you were talking to him on a _ terrible. as we said, you were talking to him on a zoom - terrible. as we said, you were talking to him on a zoom calll terrible. as we said, you were i talking to him on a zoom calljust minutes before this attack happened, and you must have been very afraid of what had happened when you heard the first report. it of what had happened when you heard the first report-— the first report. it was sometime after and he _ the first report. it was sometime after and he was _ the first report. it was sometime after and he was in _ the first report. it was sometime after and he was in great - the first report. it was sometime after and he was in great spiritsl the first report. it was sometime i after and he was in great spirits on the zoom call. it was the last meeting he had. it was zoom. i might have gone down, i was only a mile away, but ijust happened to do a virtual meeting. he was in good spirits, we were organising something on microsoft 365 and sir david was talking about me coming to meet him. it was so fitting of everything david stood for. minutes later, this heinous act and we weren't quite sure what happened at that stage. minutes became hours almost and i am still completely in shock to be honest, even now. but the whole saying not guilty and going to court, what a chilling effect. how he has had a day in court heaven only knows. immediately after and ever— court heaven only knows. immediately after and ever since _ court heaven only knows. immediately after and ever since sir _ court heaven only knows. immediately after and ever since sir david - court heaven only knows. immediately after and ever since sir david died, i after and ever since sir david died, there was this incredible number of tributes and praise for what he had done for southend—on—sea. tell us about the initiative he was part of that your daughter took part in too that your daughter took part in too that paired mps with children to try and spark an interest in politics. he was involved with student politics when he was 11 himself and it was something very close to him. he has always educated young people on parliamentary process and we thought this is a way of linking the entire nation together with young people and we were going to break a world record. malaysia had 222 online and we broke the world record, and sir david was going to be there chairing it and talking to the kids online. it was going to be a fantastic thing. obviously when this happened on the 15th of october, it wasn't until the 29th of october, it wasn't until the 29th of october and prime minister boris johnson had already agreed to do a video message and he did, sir lindsay hoyle did a video message, and what was missing was sir david. we thought at the time should we cancel this? we thought no, sir david didn't hide himself away, he wouldn't have wanted us to cancel. it would have wanted us to continue communicating on this occasion. we thought in his honour who must continue and so now we are continuing even now. on the 25th of may there will be another of these events in sir david's name in the children's parliament, so the young people's voices are heard on everything from russia and ukraine right through to obviously some of the more horrible aspects, county lines and dare i say knife crime. your daughter was paired with sir david, and then you had the appalling job of explaining to her what had happened. how do you do that? ,, ., , what had happened. how do you do that? ,, .,, ., y what had happened. how do you do that? ,, ., y " ., that? she was only 11 at the time and she was _ that? she was only 11 at the time and she was stunned. _ that? she was only 11 at the time and she was stunned. she i that? she was only 11 at the time i and she was stunned. she couldn't believe it. i have never seen her like that and she didn't know what to say. i think many people cannot believe here's not still here. there is such a vacuum in the area, that people rememberfondly, all the old people rememberfondly, all the old people and young people, nothing was too much for him and he touched so many people's lives. my daughter was honoured to have met him and he has inspired her to go into politics. she said, i want to be an mp. i said, are you sure? and she said, yes, iwant to said, are you sure? and she said, yes, i want to be an mp like sir david. ., ., ., ., david. he would have loved that. richard, thank _ david. he would have loved that. richard, thank you _ david. he would have loved that. richard, thank you for _ david. he would have loved that. richard, thank you for talking i david. he would have loved that. richard, thank you for talking to | david. he would have loved that. l richard, thank you for talking to us and sharing your memories. thank ou. emmanuel macron has won the first round of the french election. he and far—right candidate marine le pen will fight for the presidency in a second round of voting. it takes place in two weeks' time. with almost all of the results in, marine le pen secured 23% of the votes, whilst mr macron secured 27.6%. the far left candidate, jean—luc melenchon, got nearly 22% of votes. in the end, mr macron won the first—round by about three percentage points. however, opinion polls suggest the run—off vote might be closer. all the candidates in yesterday's election — except the far right eric zemmour — have urged their voters not to support ms le pen in the second round. jessica parker reports. time to get to glad—handing. emmanuel macron has been accused of failing to get stuck into this campaign. today, he headed to a stronghold area of his opponent in northern france. the centrist, pro—eu politician with an eye for economic reform, under pressure to widen his appeal, but alain in paris is already convinced. mr macron is very sensitive to economy, but marine le pen has a gun on the head, you know, so, really, it's a no—choice situation. you will be voting macron? yes, of course. far right candidate marine le pen enjoyed a recent rise in the polls. she wants to ban the muslim headscarf in public places, cut immigration, but her campaign has also zoned in on france's cost of living crunch. she was good all along, she was close to the people, she wasn't too much on the tv, she was more with us, on the field, in the cities, she did everything right. today's front pages, and, as expected, it's macron v le pen. now, for the next two weeks, they will fight it out to try and win over voters who maybe chose someone else in the first round or perhaps didn't vote at all. there was lots of choice, but 12 is now down to two. the far—left candidate, who came third, took nearly 22% of the vote. before heading to the polls, anne ruby told me she was voting green, but in a macron—le pen run—off, she would be voting blank. for no—one. politicians must change now. they must be more intelligent, and if we vote against le pen or zemmour, they won't change. they will never change. if the campaign's seemed relatively serene so far, it is now warming up, a head—to—head between two people who want to lead france in very different directions. jessica parker reporting. downing street has insisted that boris johnson retains full confidence in the chancellor, rishi sunak, who has requested an independent review of his ministerial declarations. mr sunak has faced questions about his family's financial arrangements. the chancellor says all laws and rules were followed. our political correspondent, david wallace lockhart, reports from westminster. when it emerged that his wife, akshata murty, holds a non—dom status, meaning she's not obliged to pay uk tax on her overseas income, there's nothing to suggest she has broken any rules there and she has actually said going forward from now on, she is going to pay uk tax on overseas income. things got a bit more awkward for the chancellor when it emerged that he's held us green card, while chancellor of the exchequer, entitling him to permanent residency in the uk and meaning he had to do things like file a tax return in the us. and what he's said now is he's written to the prime minister saying he'd like the prime minister's independent adviser on ministerial interests, a man called lord geidt to look into all his arrangements and ensure he declared them as he would be expected to, and that he'd followed all the rules. now, what's quite interesting is at the weekend when all of this was going on for rishi sunak, there was actually a statement issued from the cabinet office in which they referenced lord geidt and said that he was completely satisfied with the chancellor's propriety of arrangement. so at the weekend, that independent adviser on ministerial interests saying he was satisfied with how the chancellor has gone all about this. so i think rishi sunak, perhaps thinking sunlight is the best disinfectant, has now requested that's looked at again, and i suspect we may well end up with the same answer. though the prime minister's spokeswomen this afternoon would not be drawn on how long this process will all take, but we do know it is now under way. and like you said, the prime minister's spokeswomen saying that the boris johnson still retains full confidence in rishi sunak as his chancellor. so, of course, you know, slightly awkward politically for the chancellor this period. you know, it's a time where he's putting up tax on ordinary people across the country. he says it will help fund, help with the backlog in the nhs that's happening post—covid at a time when there's at least a feeling amongst, you know, notjust opposition parties, but some people throughout the country that by virtue of being a wealthy individual himself, he is able to take advantage of certain schemes that most people are not. but important stress once again, there's nothing to suggest rishi sunak has broken any rules. the prime minister's spokeswomen this afternoon would not be drawn on, for example, did other ministers in government hold us green cards, did they hold non—dom status, or does anyone else in their family hold non—dom status? we have heard sajid javid, the health secretary, telling the sunday times at the weekend that he used to have it before entering politics and then give it up at that point. in general terms, when we're talking about non—doms, people who don't have to pay uk tax on overseas income and pay an annual fee to hold that status, didn't sound like there's going to be any change from downing street in their attitude to that in general terms. the prime minister's spokeswoman saying it attracts talented people to the uk who go on, of course, to pay uk tax on their uk income, which they say goes towards funding public services across the uk. elon musk has decided not to join the board of twitter, according to the company's chief executive. mr musk�*s appointment was due to become effective on saturday after revealing last week that he had bought a 9.2% stake in the social media platform for 3.2 billion dollars. musk is a frequent tweeter, with more than 80 million followers. just over an hour after the announcement, mr musk cryptically tweeted a single emoji of a face with a hand over the mouth. shahbaz sharif is the new prime minister of pakistan after winning support in the country's parliament. mr sharif is the brother of nawaf sharif, the disgraced former prime minister of pakistan. imran khan was ousted from power on the weekend after losing a vote of no confidence. mr khan denies allegations of corruption against him. the queen has spoken publicly for the first time about having covid, saying it left her "very tired and exhausted". she made the comment during a video call with staff and former patients at the royal london hospital, as louisa pilbeam reports. it does leave one very tired and exhausted. it was february when the queen isolated after testing positive for covid. i am better now. i am recovering, i am much better and i recently left the wheelchair, so i am walking about now. i am glad you are getting better. it was february when the queen isolated after testing positive for covid. the palace called the 95—year—old's symptoms mild and cold—like, and she continued light duties from the castle like official paperwork and video calls. but as weeks passed, she pulled out of the commonwealth service at westminster abbey. by last month, she met the canadian prime minister in person and welcomed a teapot and pottery exhibition to the castle. in recent times, the queen has been walking with the aid of a stick, as seen at prince philip's memorial service at westminster abbey two weeks ago. despite speaking of the exhaustion covid caused her, perhaps the biggest clue to her majesty's health now is the expression at the end of her latest video call. thank you very much indeed, all of you. let's get more now on the news that a man has been found guilty of the murder of the mp sir david amess. earlier i spoke to the reverend steve tinning, a friend of sir david, who gave me his reflections of the former southend west mp — but he began by giving me his reaction to today's verdict. i'm just relieved in many ways that the trial is over. we are alljust deeply relieved that given the weight of evidence and the judge has comments, i think the verdict we were expecting has been given and we are just grateful that part of the journey is over. high? are just grateful that part of the journey is over.— are just grateful that part of the journey is over. why was it so hard for ou journey is over. why was it so hard for you to — journey is over. why was it so hard for you to follow _ journey is over. why was it so hard for you to follow what _ journey is over. why was it so hard for you to follow what was - journey is over. why was it so hard i for you to follow what was happening in the trial? i for you to follow what was happening in the trial? ~ , ., for you to follow what was happening in the trial? ~' , ., ~ ., in the trial? i think when you know someone that _ in the trial? i think when you know someone that has _ in the trial? i think when you know someone that has suffered - in the trial? i think when you know someone that has suffered the i in the trial? i think when you know| someone that has suffered the way that david did, it is difficult to hear the details and to watch the body cam footage of the tragic events on the day. david for me was someone that was incredibly compassionate and the primary reason i knew him was through some of the work i do for refugees in the town including syrian refugees. to hear that part of the motivation at least of why david was targeted was because of how he voted in the syrian war was hard to hear considering everything he had done to advocate for syrian refugees and try to have them reunited with family. even to the point of voting against his government on a family reunion rules and things like that. the syrian refugees that are part of leigh—on—sea here were as heartbroken as anybody to hear the news because of how well he had advocated for them and their families. , ., , ., , ., ., families. tell us how you started to net to families. tell us how you started to get to know — families. tell us how you started to get to know him. _ families. tell us how you started to get to know him. it _ families. tell us how you started to get to know him. it was _ families. tell us how you started to get to know him. it was obviously l get to know him. it was obviously through your ministry. i get to know him. it was obviously through your ministry.— through your ministry. i was a minister of— through your ministry. i was a minister of the _ through your ministry. i was a minister of the local - through your ministry. i was a minister of the local church i through your ministry. i was a i minister of the local church here in leigh—on—sea, and it wasjust through that. we had the privilege of being servants of the town. he hosted hustings and spoke at services. we invited him to come and speak in the service about his love for southend but also what churches in faith communities could do to improve community life. he opened an eco fair, but again the primary reason i met with david on so many occasions was in advocacy and compassion for syrian refugees who had moved to the town and allowing them to meet with him and make the case forfamily members them to meet with him and make the case for family members they wanted to reunite with. i havejust got paperwork so long of letters that david had written on their behalf to places of employment that they were worried about because their visas and their right to remain were expiring. david's last letter to me was in august because i was leaving the church in november and he was coming to my last service, and i don't know if you can see that, in handwriting at the bottom he wrote, "you will be so missed." it's those reasons that are so hard because we so desperately miss him now and it is not the same without him. so many --eole is not the same without him. so many people have — is not the same without him. so many people have spoken _ is not the same without him. so many people have spoken so _ is not the same without him. so many people have spoken so fondly - is not the same without him. so many people have spoken so fondly with i is not the same without him. so many people have spoken so fondly with --| people have spoken so fondly with —— of him and praised his work as a dedicated constituency mp, and of course very much speaking up for southend—on—sea over many years. what do you think his legacy will be? well, i've already been privileged enough to be at the event at the civic hall, where prince charles came and confirmed the city status, which is a big deal here. david cared about that so very much, and it's a really fitting tribute to his life. my own son is desperate to travel on the pier train that's been named after him, but his ongoing legacy will be told in time. you know, there are a lot of things that david was incredibly passionate about. you just need to google his name to see the reasons why he got into politics and the things, the hopes that he had for the city. it is my desperate hope that a lot of that will be realized of that will be realised in the fullness of time. do you see it still being carried out, that kind of work in that kind of way? yeah, i think so. certainly our new mp, anna firth, has committed herself to continuing the work of david's legacy. she's her own person. she has her own heart for the city as well, i'm sure. but there are many people who have sort of embarked upon a year of events and conversations that will really try to make the most of it. i myself suggested to the city that we would have 1,000 conversations, one—to—one conversations about our hopes for the city. because david was so well known to the town, to south end to the town, to southend as it was and the city as it is now because of these constituency surgeries that he held, where he sat down with people, some of whom he agreed with, others with whom he didn't. but that didn't bother him. he wanted to know what was on people's hearts and he acted on it. and so one of the things that we hope might be a legacy of sir david is for us to have those same conversations with one another. what is good about our city, what is challenging about our city, and how can we make positive steps to improve it? we've talked a lot about what sir david did for southend—on—sea. how has southend—on—sea looked after his family since he died? well, they're understandably very private. i've met them on one occasion, but i didn't want to presume anything with that. his staff i've reached out to on a few occasions and they're understandably still desperately struggling. but i'm being told and assured that they're getting all the professional support that they can get, and no doubt their friends and closest family are around them as well. but there has been no lack of public support for them and everything that they're going through, and i hope that message is getting through to them. i'm sure it is, and we're here in any way we can be. just to go back to the verdict that we've seen today, we've got the sentencing on wednesday, of course. how do you feel that the news today will be received in the city? i think it will be a relief. like i said, i think... it feels a lifetime ago, but only yesterday at the same time that all of this happened. and there has been a certain expectation and anticipation about the verdict, so i think there is tremendous relief that that has happened. sentencing, everybody will have a different opinion on how this will go. i'm grateful to be in a country that that tries to embark upon justice in a way that sees restoration and reconciliation. but we make no expectations about that. from what i understand, there was very little remorse shown, and i'm sure that the sentencing will reflect that. hello there. we have had a mixed bag of weather through the day today, lots of showers through northern and western areas, sunny skies for the south—east. this is ill for a groom here across the south—west. as we move through, there will be a lot of cloud so i don't think there will be a repeat of the sunshine we had in broadstairs today in kent tomorrow, but we will have some warmer air. it is pooling in off the atlantic. we have had some chilly nights and days of late and it's been up to 19 degrees in the south—east today. showers pushing northwards, various bands of showery rain is an rumbles of thunder more recently across wales. they will push northwards overnight with another band of showery rain following on behind. with all of that rain and cloud as well, it will be a mild night. quite a murky start potentially. we have this chilly wind coming off the north sea but probably not quite as chilly tomorrow as it has been today for eastern parts of england. you can see there's quite a lot of cloud around, bands of showery rain for scotland and parts of northern ireland, certainly much of england, brightening up across the south and wales later. and perhaps ahead of that band of showers which could be thundery, we could see up to 20 degrees tomorrow, still quite chilly though across the northern isles. but not for long because that rain then sweeps its way across orkney and shetland during the night tomorrow. again, because of lots of low cloud left behind and the winds from the south, again another male night tomorrow and another relatively mild day on wednesday when we will see those showers, those areas of rain starting to diminish fora time. those areas of rain starting to diminish for a time. we have more to come then as we move into thursday. we have this next band moving into northern ireland, but again for many parts on thursday despite some low cloud as we will see on wednesday, it is still dry for many, one for many with temperatures above the average which will be about ten to 13 at this time of year. but sweep through to the easter weekend and the high pressure we think at this weekend becomes established. it is just how it will be or how strong the high pressure will be at keeping these weather front at bay. the north—west may see some rain at times, it is here we are most likely to see some rain. at the moment the easter weekend is looking dry, bright and warm. guilty — the man from london who became an islamist fanatic and murdered the mp sir david amess. ali harbi ali had researched killing several mps before finally choosing sir david as his target. he told the police he had one motive. is it domestic or hate—related in any way? terror. pardon? terror. we'll have a special report on the violence suffered by women in the war with russia. the woman who lived in this house managed to escape along with her child. she called the ukrainian police and she has given them her testimony. she has told them she was raped multiple times by the two drunk russian soldiers who killed her husband. a former conservative mp is found guilty of sexually