here in kyiv, on day 50 of the war with russia, i meet the man leading this country's defence. president zelensky tells me the war is utterly pointless. they can destroy us, but we'll answer. they can kill us, and they will also die. i can't understand for what. and the nhs in england under mounting pressure — another rise in those waiting for hospital treatment and the poorest performance yet for a&e. it is expected to be a very busy weekend on the road network, and engineering works mean some trains want to be running. and coming up on the bbc news channel, west ham attempt to make the semifinals of a major european competition for the first time in 46 years. they're in lyon tonight, with rangers also in action. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. in a major change to uk immigration policy, the government plans to send thousands of people arriving here illegally to rwanda in central africa. the prime minister said the policy was possible because of what he called post—brexit freedoms. the scheme will apply to some men and women — not children orfamilies — and they will be sent to rwanda, effectively on a one—way ticket. those who've arrived in the uk since the beginning of this year will be affected. ministers claim the plan will undermine people smugglers, but it's been heavily criticised by several charities and opposition parties. labour's keir starmer said it would be unworkable and cost billions. the home secretary, priti patel, has been in the rwandan capital, kigali, today to sign the deal. our home editor, mark easton, is there. a handshake in the grip of controversy. this formal agreement between britain and rwanda is, according to the home secretary, a world—first in the approach to dealing with asylum seekers. men and women arriving in the uk by an unofficial route will have their request for sanctuary ruled inadmissible, classed as an illegal migrant, and could be forcibly relocated 4000 miles south to rebuild their life in east africa. we, as two ministers, stand here today absolutely committed to changing some of the norms around the broken global migration system, because for too long, other countries, and by the way, naysayers, just sit on their hands and have been watching people die. the migration and economic development partnership sees the uk send an initial £120 million for educational projects in rwanda, in return for the small african state helping deal with what's become a humiliation for ministers who promised to control britain's borders. record numbers of asylum seekers arriving across the channel in small boats. the prime minister was in dover today to launch a series of policies designed to show the government getting serious with the problem of people traffickers exploiting desperate migrants. this innovative approach, driven by our shared humanitarian impulse and made possible by brexit freedoms, will provide safe and legal routes for asylum, while disrupting the business model of the gangs. among the key measures announced, but the centrepiece of the response is to deal with rwanda. if it happens, this is where the first of those flown to kigali will be housed — currently a private hostel. is it reserved for people coming from britain? 0ut out for sure. today's guided tour also included a meeting with a yemeni refugee who has successfully made his home in the country. the weather is really great the whole year, no change! yeah, i think this is most of the things that i like, many, though, have profound concerns about the practicality, the cost, and the humanity of this deal — the british government sending off traumatised asylum seekers halfway around the world to rebuild their lives in a country they've never been to. rwanda is still a country recovering from genocide — half a million people killed in the mid—�*90s. criticised by the uk for its human rights record last year, this may seem an odd choice of partner to entrust with protecting the human rights of traumatised and vulnerable asylum seekers. israel scrapped a similar arrangement with rwanda in 2018, after it emerged that asylum seekers ended up in the hands of people traffickers. there were accounts of rape, torture, enslavement and murder, as desperate refugees headed north to try to get into europe across the mediterranean. 0pposition politicians were united in condemning the deal. they�* re unworkable, they're extortionate, they're going to cost the taxpayer billions of pounds, and theyjust reflect a prime minister who's got no grip, no answers. it's clearly not going to work, there — it's clearly not going to work, there is— it's clearly not going to work, there is no— it's clearly not going to work, there is no evidence that it will stop— there is no evidence that it will stop these appalling criminal gangs, these _ stop these appalling criminal gangs, these traffickers, and it's going to be incredibly expensive as well. it be incredibly expensive as well. [it is be incredibly expensive as well. it is horrendous, a pathetic and cruel political— is horrendous, a pathetic and cruel political stunt _ is horrendous, a pathetic and cruel political stunt that _ is horrendous, a pathetic and cruel political stunt that will _ is horrendous, a pathetic and cruel political stunt that will do - is horrendous, a pathetic and cruel political stunt that will do real- political stunt that will do real harm — political stunt that will do real harm to — political stunt that will do real harm to asylum _ political stunt that will do real harm to asylum seekers - political stunt that will do real harm to asylum seekers and i political stunt that will do real. harm to asylum seekers and no political stunt that will do real- harm to asylum seekers and no harm to people _ harm to asylum seekers and no harm to peorrte smugglers _ the hope — to stop the small boats. the ambition — potentially for tens of thousands of people to be packed onto planes to rwanda. the reality — a government expecting a challenge in the courts seeking to scupper this proposal before it begins. mark easton, bbc news, rwanda. so will this policy stop people from making that treacherous journey across the channel? more than 28,000 people crossed the channel in small boats last year, and this year already looks set to exceed that number. back in 2020, some 8,500 people made thejourney. 0ur correspondentjessica parker has been speaking to some of those who are planning to cross the channel and sent this report from dunkirk. a makeshift village in northern france, sandwiched between woods and railway tracks. men collect firewood, children play games. the long wait for a better life than this. mrjohnson said the scheme would be uncapped... it was literally news to these men that some who reach england could be sent to rwanda. shafi, who tells me he fled afghanistan, says it's double standards. they're welcoming all ukrainian people in their houses, we heard that everyone in the world is welcoming ukrainians in their houses. we were asked a lot of questions — who will they send, when, why? everyone wants a better future, and if they take us to rwanda, what are we going to do there? like, its a lot worse place than afghanistan, right? there is no future for us in rwanda. will that make you think twice about trying the journey? no, we have no other choice, we will still go there, we'll still try our best, you know, let's see what happens, they will still try to go there. there are women and children here, but it is mostly single men, and they're not the only ones taken aback by the government plans. rwanda?! vraiment?! you can see what local volunteer marie thinks. translation: it's horrible - and absurd, it doesn't make sense. it makes absolutely no sense. why would the government do something like that? in the uk, its expected these plans will be challenged in the courts. but people in dover say a solution is needed. i feel for them, they're human beings, like us, and they're fleeing from the circumstances. but, equally, we can't carry on forever taking everyone. obviously, they've got to go somewhere, so, yeah, perhaps it would be a better idea, rather than come straight into dover all the time. those living in the camp are on long journeys. the english language, family — reasons frequently given about why they want to reach the uk. hundreds of people are living in this camp just outside dunkirk in northern france, and they don't seem — those we've spoken to — particularly deterred by the idea they could be sent to rwanda if they reach the uk. they accept it might be a risk, but what they tell us is they've already risked so much to get this far. and many still willing to risk their lives crossing the english channel. a border force ship bringing more people ashore today — safe for now, but with uncertain futures. jessica parker, bbc news, in dunkirk, northern france. 0ur political correspondent nick eardley is in westminster. nick, i guess the test of this policy is whether it does in fact enable the government to take back control of immigration, as it has promised so often.— control of immigration, as it has promised so often. yeah, george, it is an issue — promised so often. yeah, george, it is an issue that _ promised so often. yeah, george, it is an issue that governments - promised so often. yeah, george, it is an issue that governments have i is an issue that governments have promised to tackle four years but largely failed to get a grip on. today was borisjohnson trying to persuade us he is prepared to take radical action, persuade us he is prepared to take radicalaction, but there persuade us he is prepared to take radical action, but there are potential problems, and ministers know they could face potentially lengthy legal battles over the implementation of this policy. so it won't be simple, it won't be quick, many think it'sjust won't be simple, it won't be quick, many think it's just won't work. but it allows boris johnson to many think it's just won't work. but it allows borisjohnson to do two has things today, to say that he has some ideas, to flesh out that actions in ukraine. speaking to me earlier today in the capital, kyiv, he said they had, as he put it, "blood on their hands" as energy payments were funding russia's war machine, allowing civilians to be killed. today marks 50 days since russia's invasion and the start of the war, and as russian forces now focus on the east of the country president zelensky urged western nations to speed up military aid to help ukrainian troops. he also told me that alleged russian atrocities in ukraine were threatening peace negotiations. let's hear more of what he had to say. he was a gracious housed in welcoming our team to his wartime bunker. mr president, clive myrie, a pleasure to meet you, good to see you... forthe pleasure to meet you, good to see you... for the entirety of the war, volodymyr zelensky has called its heavily fortified building home in the centre of kyiv. and how difficult has it been for you to be here throw out all this, without your family? here throw out all this, without yourfamily? it here throw out all this, without your family?— here throw out all this, without your family? here throw out all this, without our famil ? , , ., ., your family? it is my “ob. i have to do it, your family? it is my “ob. i have to do at, and — your family? it is my “ob. i have to do at, and it _ your family? it is my “ob. i have to do at, and it is _ your family? it is my job. i have to do it, and it is difficult _ your family? it is my job. i have to do it, and it is difficult without - do it, and it is difficult without family to be anywhere. his do it, and it is difficult without family to be anywhere. his wife and children are — family to be anywhere. his wife and children are safe _ family to be anywhere. his wife and children are safe at _ family to be anywhere. his wife and children are safe at an _ family to be anywhere. his wife and children are safe at an undisclosedl children are safe at an undisclosed location. his companions here, heavily armed troops, sandbags and minds. at the start of the war, they walked around in the darkness here, afraid of russian shelling. like walked around in the darkness here, afraid of russian shelling.— afraid of russian shelling. like our count , afraid of russian shelling. like our country. our _ afraid of russian shelling. like our country, our country _ afraid of russian shelling. like our country, our country going - afraid of russian shelling. like our| country, our country going through the dark to victory, i hope so. has the dark to victory, i hope so. as we enter what is labelled the situation room, the president gets a text. ., ., 0h, situation room, the president gets a text-_ oh. it _ situation room, the president gets a text-_ oh. it is - text. from macron. oh, it is emmanuel— text. from macron. oh, it is emmanuel macron? - text. from macron. oh, it is emmanuel macron? we - text. from macron. oh, it is| emmanuel macron? we have connections, _ emmanuel macron? we have connections, that _ emmanuel macron? we have connections, that is - emmanuel macron? we have connections, that is it! - emmanuel macron? we have connections, that is it! he i emmanuel macron? we have| connections, that is it! he has dro- ed connections, that is it! he has dropped you _ connections, that is it! he has dropped you a _ connections, that is it! he has dropped you a message, - connections, that is it! he has dropped you a message, i - connections, that is it! he has dropped you a message, i canj connections, that is it! he has - dropped you a message, i can see! just tried to reach you, my friend — when you have some time! so just tried to reach you, my friend - when you have some time!- just tried to reach you, my friend - when you have some time! so we are holdin: u- when you have some time! so we are holding up mr— when you have some time! so we are holding up mr macron! _ when you have some time! so we are holding up mr macron! i _ when you have some time! so we are holding up mr macron! i can - when you have some time! so we are holding up mr macron! i can see - when you have some time! so we are holding up mr macron! i can see the. holding up mr macron! i can see the number 33, that is paris. that holding up mr macron! i can see the number 33, that is paris.— number 33, that is paris. that is true! a few _ number 33, that is paris. that is true! a few minutes _ number 33, that is paris. that is true! a few minutes later, - number 33, that is paris. that is true! a few minutes later, he i true! a few minutes later, he returns- _ true! a few minutes later, he returns. his _ true! a few minutes later, he returns. his preoccupation i true! a few minutes later, he returns. his preoccupation -| true! a few minutes later, he | returns. his preoccupation - a returns. his preoccupation — a renewed military onslaught about to begin in the east. are you getting the right weapons you need from the west? translation: ~ ., , ., translation: we need weapons today so we can fight. — translation: we need weapons today so we can fight. we _ translation: we need weapons today so we can fight, we cannot _ translation: we need weapons today so we can fight, we cannot wait - so we can fight, we cannot wait until some country decides to give or sell us weapons. some have not decided on this, and we cannot wait for two or three weeks or a month. the united states, the united kingdom and some european countries are helping, but we needed sooner, we need it now. is it enough? we don't think so. the priority word is sooner, the priority word is quickly, the priority word is quickly, the priority word is now. he priority word is quickly, the priority word is now.- priority word is quickly, the priority word is now. he is a president — priority word is now. he is a president who _ priority word is now. he is a president who has - priority word is now. he is a president who has been - priority word is now. he is a president who has been cut| priority word is now. he is a i president who has been cut off priority word is now. he is a - president who has been cut off from his people, a citizenry suffering unimaginable horrors at the hands of a ruthless adversary. he is full of hate, he says, borussia's troops and their leaders, gradually limiting their leaders, gradually limiting the scope for talks. —— for russia's troops and their leaders. how do you sit across the table to try and stop the war? how do you do that? putin is, in this process, _ the war? how do you do that? putin is, in this process, closing _ the war? how do you do that? pit “i is, in this process, closing the possibilities. bucha, mariupol. so i don't have, you know, it is not about me, it is more about russia. they will not have so many chances, in the long period, to speak with us. �* in the long period, to speak with us. �* ., , ., in the long period, to speak with us. �* ., , ., _, , in the long period, to speak with us. , ,, us. and european countries, despite other sanctions, _ us. and european countries, despite other sanctions, still— us. and european countries, despite other sanctions, still sending - other sanctions, still sending billions to russia in oil and gas revenues. translation: ~ ., �* , ., ., translation: we don't understand how ou can translation: we don't understand how you can make — translation: we don't understand how you can make money _ translation: we don't understand how you can make money out of— translation: we don't understand how you can make money out of blood. - you can make money out of blood. unfortunately some european countries have done this. before the war began i spoke to chancellor angela merkel and said if a full—scale invasion of ukraine happens, they will go further into poland and after that they will be on the border with germany. if that happened, would you say to your people, it's fine, it isjust business? people, it's fine, it is 'ust business?i people, it's fine, it is 'ust business? ., ., ., ., people, it's fine, it is 'ust business? ., ., ., business? how do you maintain hope in the future — business? how do you maintain hope in the future given _ business? how do you maintain hope in the future given everything - business? how do you maintain hope in the future given everything that i in the future given everything that has happened? it’s in the future given everything that has happened?— has happened? it's not hope, it is certain . has happened? it's not hope, it is certainty- that — has happened? it's not hope, it is certainty. that you _ has happened? it's not hope, it is certainty. that you will _ has happened? it's not hope, it is certainty. that you will win? i has happened? it's not hope, it is certainty. that you will win? yes, | certainty. that you will win? yes, of course- — certainty. that you will win? yes, of course- mr _ certainty. that you will win? yes, of course. mr president, - certainty. that you will win? yes, of course. mr president, thank i certainty. that you will win? yes, i of course. mr president, thank you. president zelensky _ of course. mr president, thank you. president zelensky there _ of course. mr president, thank you. president zelensky there speaking i of course. mr president, thank you. | president zelensky there speaking to me a little earlier, not far from here but the exact location obviously i can't tell you. the flagship of russia's black sea fleet, the moskva, has been seriously damaged and its crew forced to evacuate after a fire. ukraine claims it struck the warship with two missiles, and it began to sink. but moscow says ammunition on board exploded in an unexplained fire, and the moskva remains afloat. this comes as russia focuses its forces on the east of the country, with fighting reportedly continuing in the key port city of mariupol, which has been under siege for weeks. 0ur correspondent tom bateman has sent us this report from the city of dnipro. this was the moskva, russia's flagship in the black sea, filmed here last year test—firing supersonic missiles. it's been a lethal menace off ukraine's coast, a floating symbol of moscow's might. 0vernight, ukraine said they hit the moskva with two anti—ship missiles. its fate is unclear — russia says it seriously damaged after an unexplained fire and is being towed away with the crew evacuated. ukraine's account differs. translation: the ship started listing and had a taste - of black sea waters. the ship is going to do what it was told to, it's headed toward the bottom of the sea. ukraine's hit russian ships before — this was a landing vessel three weeks ago — but nothing as big as the moskva. the river dnipro has become a key line of defence for the ukrainians as you head further south of here, over the front line. and now, with this missile strike where this river ends in the black sea, they have challenged the tight control that russia had on the water. meanwhile, in mariupol, russia openly controls parts of the besieged city. some still managed to flee, as they do from other parts of the russian occupied south. in the aid shelters, i hear even more of mariupol�*s nightmares. anna had to escape under shelling. herfamily, like others i've heard from, have stories of neighbours buried in shallow graves. anna's daughter, marina, grieves for those left behind. translation: a lot of elderly people are left who had no i opportunity to get out. we don't know what happened to them. i am almost certain we are not going to see many of our neighbours alive again. and as fears grow that the war is about to widen, they wonder if they will be forced to find another place of refuge. tom bateman, bbc news, in south—east ukraine. the latest on the war in the east of the country. so, as we've been hearing, russia has admitted that the moskva warship, has been damaged but says a fire on board caused its ammunition to explode and the vessel remains afloat. 0ur russia editor, steve rosenberg, is in moscow. steve, the ukrainians have a different story, they say they attacked russia's flagship in the fleet. what impact is the news having in moscow? ~ , . ., , ., moscow? well, it is certainly not dominating _ moscow? well, it is certainly not dominating the _ moscow? well, it is certainly not dominating the headlines - moscow? well, it is certainly not dominating the headlines here, i moscow? well, it is certainly not i dominating the headlines here, but then bad news rarely does. as you say, the russians admit their warship suffered significant damage because of a fire, they are not saying what caused the fire. whatever the circumstances, whatever the cause, one thing is clear. the fact the flagship of the russian black sea fleet was disabled, put out of action, was engulfed in flames, that goes against what president putin was saying only this week. he said a couple of days ago that his special military operation in ukraine was going according to plan. as for that interview with president zelensky, it was quite interesting, mr zelensky saying he would win, while resident putin maintains russia, the kremlin will win in this special operation. qm. win in this special operation. ok, steve, win in this special operation. ok, steve. thank _ win in this special operation. ok, steve, thank you. _ win in this special operation. 0k, steve, thank you. steve rosenberg live in moscow. volodymyr zelensky is a charming man with a firm handshake. affable and relaxed in our conversation, he tensed up on just two occasions, when talking about the alleged war crimes of russian troops, and when questioned about the continued purchase of russian oil and gas by european countries. his decision to stay in the capital throughout the war has endeared him to his people and millions around the world. and his armed forces, in their dogged resistance against russia, reflect his own steel and determination. he is an adversary moscow did not believe was up to the challenge. how wrong they are. that's it from me and the team here in kyiv, now back to you, george, in london. clive, thank you very much. the time is 18.21. our top story this evening. the government has announced new plans to send some men and women arriving in the uk illegally to rwanda in central africa. the booker prize—winning author douglas stuart on his second novel — and why bullying, bigotry and benefits shaped his childhood coming up in sportsday on the bbc news channel... a night to remember in super league. two french rugby league sides go head—to—head in the top flight for the first time. catalans dragons face bottom side toulouse. yet more evidence today of the pressure on the nhs in england. the number of people waiting for routine hospital treatment has risen to a new record. it now stands at 6.2 million people. and over 22,000 patients in accident & emergency had to wait 12 hours or more for a bed after being admitted. 0ur health editor hugh pym reports. the emergency department at university hospital coventry today, they say it's never been busier. some sick patients are enduring long wait on trolleys before beds in the wards can be found. dds, wait on trolleys before beds in the wards can be found.— wait on trolleys before beds in the wards can be found. a gentleman in his 80s who — wards can be found. a gentleman in his 80s who has _ wards can be found. a gentleman in his 80s who has been _ wards can be found. a gentleman in his 80s who has been here - wards can be found. a gentleman in his 80s who has been here since i his 80s who has been here since yesterday afternoon. ed. his 80s who has been here since yesterday afternoon.— his 80s who has been here since yesterday afternoon. ed, a senior consultant _ yesterday afternoon. ed, a senior consultant in _ yesterday afternoon. ed, a senior consultant in the _ yesterday afternoon. ed, a senior consultant in the department, i yesterday afternoon. ed, a senior. consultant in the department, says the trend is worrying. iordte consultant in the department, says the trend is worrying.— consultant in the department, says the trend is worrying. we never used to have patients _ the trend is worrying. we never used to have patients waiting _ the trend is worrying. we never used to have patients waiting more - the trend is worrying. we never used to have patients waiting more than i to have patients waiting more than 12 hours in a department, and 90% of patients would be seen and treated within four hours, now it is not extraordinary. it’s within four hours, now it is not extraordinary.— extraordinary. it's a familiar hospital. — extraordinary. it's a familiar hospital, more _ extraordinary. it's a familiar hospital, more patients i extraordinary. it's a familiar i hospital, more patients coming extraordinary. it's a familiar - hospital, more patients coming in, delays discharging those fit to leave as well as covid. at a different hospital, jean who is 87 with complex medical conditions had to wait more than 30 hours in a&e for a bed to be found. her son and he describes the scene when he was allowed to see her.— allowed to see her. there were atients allowed to see her. there were patients on _ allowed to see her. there were patients on ambulance - allowed to see her. there were patients on ambulance trolleys| allowed to see her. there were i patients on ambulance trolleys are literally everywhere stacked in the department down the corridors to the a&e department, and the staff were rushed off their feet.— rushed off their feet. nottingham university hospital— rushed off their feet. nottingham university hospital trust - rushed off their feet. nottingham i university hospital trust apologised for the delay to jean's care. university hospital trust apologised for the delay tojean's care. they said demand at the time was unprecedented.— said demand at the time was unprecedented. you see your life doind unprecedented. you see your life going past- _ unprecedented. you see your life going past- when _ unprecedented. you see your life going past. when was _ unprecedented. you see your life going past. when was the - unprecedented. you see your life going past. when was the last i unprecedented. you see your life i going past. when was the last time i was able to go for a good walk on the moors?— was able to go for a good walk on the moors? terry from derbyshire doesnt the moors? terry from derbyshire doesn't need _ the moors? terry from derbyshire doesn't need emergency - the moors? terry from derbyshire doesn't need emergency care i the moors? terry from derbyshire doesn't need emergency care but| the moors? terry from derbyshire i doesn't need emergency care but she has been waiting more than a year for two partial knee replacement and it's made herjob in the nhs a lot more difficult.— more difficult. working as a midwife, — more difficult. working as a midwife, i _ more difficult. working as a midwife, i had _ more difficult. working as a midwife, i had to _ more difficult. working as a midwife, i had to go - more difficult. working as a midwife, i had to go off i more difficult. working as a| midwife, i had to go off sick because i couldn't manage the ward work. i was in tears trying to get back to the car, only being able to shuffle along. back to the car, only being able to shuffle along-— shuffle along. back in coventry, they have _ shuffle along. back in coventry, they have managed _ shuffle along. back in coventry, they have managed to - shuffle along. back in coventry, they have managed to cut i shuffle along. back in coventry, they have managed to cut some shuffle along. back in coventry, i they have managed to cut some of the long waits for planned operations. i'm proud to say we don't have any patients waiting more than two years and our ambition is to work on patients waiting more than a year, and we want to get that down to zero as quickly as possible, and hopefully by the end of this year. it is a significant challenge. in it is a significant challenge. in coventry there are covid patients in wards like this, nearly as many as during the peak of the comic run surge over the winter. most are here with other conditions but that still creates challenges for staff in the hospital. covid infections in the community are falling according to the latest survey, but nhs staff know the virus along with many other pressures won't go away. hugh pym, bbc news, coventry. a british man who was a member of the islamic state group has been found guilty of hostagetaking and conspiring to murderjournalists and aid workers in syria. he was found to be part of an no darius terrorist cell who is nicknamed where the details because of their uk accident. authorities say they were responsible for killing more than 20 people. there are fears of serious travel disruption over the coming holiday period — and, remember, it's the first easter break in three years without covid travel restrictions. more flights have been cancelled and p&0 confirmed there won't be cross—channel ferry services over the weekend. passengers are being warned that motorways and rail services will be extremely busy. 0ur transport correspondent katy austin is by the m25 in swanley in kent. that's right, the long weekend around easter is traditionally very busy on the roads and now that covid restrictions have been lifted, the aa says more than 27 million car journeys could be made over the coming days with congestion as a result. good friday is expected to be the busiest day, and in general drivers are being warned to set off as early as they can if they want to beat the traffic jams. as early as they can if they want to beat the trafficjams. the rac says some people might be put off travelling or take shorterjourneys because fuel is so expensive at the moment. but one thing more likely to push traffic onto the roads is there is major engineering work taking place on the railways, it's definitely a weekend to check before you travel and turn up at a station. the west coast main line is particularly affected and actually there won't be any services in or out of london euston between now and monday. elsewhere, p&0 ferries still isn't running on its dover calais route after sacking there was nearly 800 seafarers about one month ago. it hoped to resume by easter but two ships failed safety inspections this week so that is not happening. the company has apologised to passengers and said it is offering refunds or alternative travel arrangements for them. ., ~ alternative travel arrangements for them. ., ,, alternative travel arrangements for them. ., ~' , alternative travel arrangements for them. ., ,, , . the scottish conservatives have launched their manifesto for next month's local elections. the party's telling voters that backing tory candidates is the only way to prevent councils from being run by labour and the snp in coalition. the author douglas stewart has achieved the success most writers can only dream about, winning the booker prize with his first novel. his next book is published today, both books are about poverty, homophobia and injustice in late 20th—century glasgow and inspired by his own troubled childhood. he has been talking to our arts correspondent. it isa it is a city that inspires every word he writes, glasgow where douglas stuart was born and raised. this was the glasgow he knew in the 19705, this was the glasgow he knew in the 1970s, run down with housing estates and high unemployment. i 1970s, run down with housing estates and high unemployment.— 1970s, run down with housing estates and high unemployment. i grew up on the far side of— and high unemployment. i grew up on the far side of those _ and high unemployment. i grew up on the far side of those tenements... i the far side of those tenements... it is the world that shaped douglas stuart. his mother, a single parent, was an alcoholic. his family were poor and relied on benefits. it was an alcoholic. his family were poor and relied on benefits. it was hard to be — poor and relied on benefits. it was hard to be poor— poor and relied on benefits. it was hard to be poor but _ poor and relied on benefits. it was hard to be poor but it _ poor and relied on benefits. it was hard to be poor but it was - poor and relied on benefits. it was hard to be poor but it was harder i poor and relied on benefits. it ms hard to be poor but it was harder on my mother because she was always deciding if this week we would pay for electricity or gas, if we could get new clothes, what we were going to eat. .,, ,, ., ., get new clothes, what we were going to eat. ,, ., ., ,, to eat. douglas stewart also knew he was da . i to eat. douglas stewart also knew he was gay- i was _ to eat. douglas stewart also knew he was gay. i was being _ to eat. douglas stewart also knew he was gay. i was being bullied - to eat. douglas stewart also knew he was gay. i was being bullied for- was gay. i was being bullied for beind was gay. i was being bullied for being queer— was gay. i was being bullied for being queer at _ was gay. i was being bullied for being queer at school— was gay. i was being bullied for being queer at school and i was gay. i was being bullied for being queer at school and it i was gay. i was being bullied for- being queer at school and it started as name—calling but it could be quite violent sometimes. his troubled childhood inspired his new novel young mungo, a gay love story about two teenagers who dream of a different way of life, just like douglas stuart. he finished school, became a fashion designer in new york and eventually started writing. winning the booker prize in 2020 with his first novel. yet for all his success, doubts remain. i with his first novel. yet for all his success, doubts remain. i think i have his success, doubts remain. i think i have always _ his success, doubts remain. i think i have always felt _ his success, doubts remain. i think i have always felt a _ his success, doubts remain. i think i have always felt a little _ his success, doubts remain. i think i have always felt a little bit - his success, doubts remain. i think i have always felt a little bit of i i have always felt a little bit of an imposter my whole life. we can't ever underestimate what childhood trauma does to people. pond ever underestimate what childhood trauma does to people.— trauma does to people. and he worries writers _ trauma does to people. and he worries writers from _ trauma does to people. and he worries writers from similar i worries writers from similar backgrounds are still faced too many obstacles. you backgrounds are still faced too many obstacles. ., .., �* backgrounds are still faced too many obstacles. ., �* _ obstacles. you can't possibly understand _ obstacles. you can't possibly understand this _ obstacles. you can't possibly understand this country i obstacles. you can't possibly i understand this country unless you are fairly represented with working—class voices because we are such a massive part of the population. and i think for any working—class creator whether it is fashion or literature, there will be so many more barriers for you and things you will have to overcome. 0ne barrierfor him was growing up in a house with no books. i one barrier for him was growing up in a house with no books.- in a house with no books. i haven't seen this before, _ in a house with no books. i haven't seen this before, it's _ in a house with no books. i haven't seen this before, it's amazing. i in a house with no books. i haven't seen this before, it's amazing. an| seen this before, it's amazing. an even greater thrill than to hold his new novel in his hands for the first time. rebecca jones, bbc news, glasgow. time for a look at the weather... here's stave da naos. the weekend looking pretty decent for most of us with high temperature dominating the scene for most of that time. the chance of a little bit of rain through easter sunday into monday across western areas. we have these weather fronts loitering out of the west but it is higher pressure which will bring a lot of fine and dry, settled weather with variable amounts of cloud and sunshine. through this evening it will stay dry with cloud towards eastern and western areas. it's possible the spine of the uk could see clearer skies, it's here where we could see temperatures dip into low single digits, otherwise a pretty mild