Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News At One 20170405

Tonight could be called when the skies are clear and there could be some ground frost. Tomorrow, not as much sunshine first thing but it should be dry and bright for most of us, apart from the north west. When the sun comes through it will feel warmer. 11 13 is the general top temperature. This weekend it should be dry with sunshine. In the westminster attack two weeks ago. The duke and Duchess Of Cambridge and prince harryjoined relatives of the victims and members of the Emergency Services here at Westminster Abbey. We weep for the violence and for the hatred and for the loss of life, for all that divides and spoils our world. Also this lunchtime more than 70 people are now known to have died in the suspected Chemical Attack in syria. Germany says russia bears some responsibility. The European Parliament votes on its position for brexit talks as its Chief Negotiator describes britains decision to leave the eu as a stupidity. A bbc investigation finds thousands of families affected by the benefit cap now have only 50p a week to pay the rent. And the first Driverless Vehicle to be tested on britains roads how will it fare on londons busy streets . And coming up in the sport on bbc news british Olympic Showjumping champion nick skelton announces his retirement, after more than a0 years in the sport. Good afternoon and welcome to the Bbc News At One from Westminster Abbey in the heart of london. Members of the royal family have just left a service of hope following the Terror Attack on the Palace Of Westminster two weeks ago today. In the congregation, some of the First Responders who were there to attend those who were dying and injured on Westminster Bridge and some of those injured were also in the church as well as some of the relatives of those who died, just two weeks ago, their lives changed for ever. Our correspondent Nicholas Witchell reports. Two weeks ago the area around the Westminster Abbey was caught up in the chaos of that afternoon. Nearby on Westminster Bridge there were casualties. People moan down as they enjoyed the sights of london, closer still just enjoyed the sights of london, Closer Stilljust Inside The Gates of the houses of parliament, there were gunshots. And a murder of an unarmed police officer, one of the four innocent people who died that day. Two weeks later at Westminster Abbey, the service, quite deliberately not a memorial service, it is felt to be too soon after the event for that, but what the abbey described as a service of hope, and leaders of the different faith communities from across the uk were joined in the congregation by the duke and Duchess Of Cambridge and prince harry along with members of the Emergency Services, some of the bereaved families and some of those who were injured. The violent assault two weeks ago against londoners and visitors to the city from Around The World and the killing of a Police Constable on duty at the Palace Of Westminster has shocked people everywhere. At a time of sorrow, a time when we are tempted to despair, may we find hope. The humanity of those who came to the aid of the injured and dying was remembered. The duke of cambridge red for the parable of the good samaritan. Read from. Cambridge red for the parable of the good samaritan. Read from. Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers . He said, the hands of the robbers . He said, the one who showed him mercy. Jesus said to him, go and do likewise. The one who showed him mercy. Jesus said to him, go and do likewisem the name of the father. The Dean Of Westminster record that amongst those directly affected by the attack were people from britain and 12 other nations and he post a question so many have asked, why . What happened a fortnight ago leaves us what happened a fortnight ago leaves us bewildered. What could possibly motivate a man to hire a car and ta ke motivate a man to hire a car and take it from birmingham to brighton to london and then drive it faster people he had never met, couldnt possibly know, against whom he had no personal grudge and no reason to hate them, and then ran at the gates of the Palace Of Westminster to cause another death . It seems likely that we shall never know. Candles we re that we shall never know. Candles were lit as a symbol of the light which can never be extinguished by the darkness of terror. And prayers we re the darkness of terror. And prayers were offered from across the different faiths over pledging respect between different communities. Nicholas witchel, bbc news. Prayers also offered to protect the nation from division and hatred. The difficult dave many people attending this service, a service which it is sad will help them to come to terms in some way with what happened just 200 yards away from where im standing, just two weeks ago a difficult day for many. The Un Security Council will meet in Emergency Session later today to discuss the suspected gas attack on a rebel held town in syria. The attack is believed to have killed more than 70 people, including children. Washington has accused the Assad Regime Of Barbarism but it denies using chemical weapons. 0ur Correspondent Wyre Davies reports you may find some of these images upsetting. The reverberations of what happened in the syrian town of Khan Sheikhoun are being felt Around The World. Distressing images of civilians, many of them children, suffering from the appalling effects of a gas or Chemical Attack. Unable to breathe, choking and foaming at the mouth. Dozens were killed and for many it marked a new low in the conflict that has already seen so much suffering and depravity. What weve seen yesterday has horrified all of us. I can say this is a politician, but first of all as a mother. And the images we have seen yesterday from syria remind us all that here we have a responsibility. To unite for real with a serious engagement, the international community, the regional players, but also the syrian parties, to beat this. Syrian opposition groups and Western Powers have unequivocally blamed the regime of Bashar Al Assad for the attack that as these images show, continued even as the victims are being treated in the only hospital in the town. This Security Guard said that about an hour after the initial strike, Government Aircraft deliberately bombed the hospital itself, putting it out of service. The Syrian Government and its chief ally, russia, have been equally vehement in their denials. This was, says a Russian Military spokesman, the direct consequence of an air strike on a militant Weapons Factory that must have included nerve gas or chemical weapons. And for that, says the government, the opposition bears all responsibility. That argument isnt being bought in western capitals and in a special conference on Syria In Brussels where many accuse the assad regime of committing a war crime. All the evidence i have seen suggests that this was the assad regime who did it in the full knowledge that they were using illegal weapons in a barbaric attack on their own people. With rescuers frantically dousing survivors in water to wash off chemicals, and graphic eyewitness accounts of what happened, many experts conclude this can only have been carried out by the regime. There is no indication that the moderate Syrian Rebels were involved in chemical production, particularly something difficult to do like sarin. As Government Air strikes against rebel areas continue, some victims are being treated in neighbouring turkey. The assad regime has been emboldened by Russian Military support and a reluctance by critics to take meaningful action against it. Even after the horror of what happened at Khan Sheikhoun, that is unlikely to change. 0ur correspondent lyse doucet is in brussels, where a special conference about syria is being overshadowed by the news of that Chemical Attack. Com pletely completely overshadowed. When this day of talks started this morning, one world leader after another including borisjohnson, one world leader after another including boris johnson, were one world leader after another including borisjohnson, were forced to respond to what has happened in the past 2a hours in syria, so yet again shone reworded condemnations have called for an investigation and warnings they would because it addresses for who carried out this attack strongly worded. And the many western leaders the blame clearly lies with the forces of president assad and his russian and iranian allies. This account is not accepted iranian allies. This account is not a cce pted by iranian allies. This account is not accepted by their side, but for syrians who have lived through six use and more of this absolutely devastating conflict, the question is yet again, it is fine to say very strong words, but what about action on the ground . Six years. And what are the options . To use Boris Johnsons phrase, price will be paid, but how big a price can there be to bring syria back to some kind of situation where they can. The conference is still discussing about how to get humanitarian aid to people and how to stop the suffering, including of children, how to bring this war to an end. There is no answers to that yet and there are not likely to be any a nswe is there are not likely to be any answers from this conference and the un security meeting this evening. Thanks forjoining us. Meps at the European Parliament have voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking a tough stance on brexit negotiations, setting so called red lines that cant be crossed. Earlier there were testy exchanges as the parliaments brexit negotiator, guy verhofstadt, told meps that brexit is a stupidity which was caused by a catfight inside the Conservative Party and he said britain will one day ask to rejoin the eu. Nigel farage of ukip accused politicians from other countries of being nasty and vindictive. 0ur europe correspondent Damian Grammaticas sent this report. A handshake offered from the eus Chief Negotiator. Smiles in return from the architect of brexit. But then harsh realities began to be laid out. The uk told it cannot expect special access to the eus single market. I have to clarify, this will not happen. Cherry picking will not happen. A state outside the European Union cannot have the same or better conditions than a state inside of the European Union. What is expected is that the uk will pay its bills. Its like moving house, said the leader of the socialist group. The gas bill, the electricity, it all has to be settled, he said. Just a week since article 50 was triggered, this may be a foretaste of things to come. Nigel farage accused the eu of making impossible demands. Vindictive and nasty, he called it. Youre behaving like the mafia. You think were a hostage, were not. Were free to go. We are free to go. Groans at the Mafia Comparison stopped him mid flow. Then this, from the parliaments italian president. Im sorry, mr farage, he interrupted, but saying this parliament is behaving like the mafia is unacceptable. Michel barnier, the man who will have to keep negotiations calm, said he will not seek to punish the uk, only ask that it live up to its financial obligations. And, he said, it will have to agree the Separation Terms before the trade talks can begin. The sooner we agree to the principles of an orderly withdrawal, the sooner we can prepare. A different future was laid out, too, where a young generation of britons want to rejoin the eu. A young generation that will see brexit for what it really is a catfight in the Conservative Party that got out of hand. A lot of time, a waste of energy, and, ithink, stupidity. But for now the eu is ready in what it says will be a tough negotiating position. In a moment well hear from our Political Correspondent eleanor garnier. But first lets speak to damian whos in strasbourg. Quite some exchanges, tough talking all round. Yes on both sides and not just on the issue of money. The issue of gibraltar was again raised, british meps, ukip meps said gibraltar would not be used as a bargaining chip. A spanish mep said it was unacceptable in the 21st century to have a colony in europe. And i think that goes to the heart of some of the concerns, but this is only one week into brexit negotiations, real negotiations had not even begun. Parties are just laying out their stall and the concern is things could get heated very quickly. And that could make negotiations harder. But in substance of what just negotiations harder. But in substance of whatjust happened today, what we had is the resolution now from the European Parliament adopting its position towards the brexit negotiations. And that is very close to what we already heard from the european leaders, pretty tough, they are saying that there has to be agreement in alkaline on the exit, the separation first. That means settling the bill. 0nly the exit, the separation first. That means settling the bill. Only then can you move onto trade talks. And in terms of a future negotiation, some tough conditions as well. No special access for the uk but also if the uk once a close relationship with the eu in future mep said that the uk will have to abide by eu standards on things like Climate Change, things like labour law and Competition Policy for the otherwise they would not approve any deal and they would not approve any deal and they will have a yes or no vote on any final deal reached with the uk. Lets get the view from westminster. Theresa may has been making a few comments about immigration as well. You will remember immigration was one of the big issues during the referendum campaign. And as theresa may goes into the brexit negotiations the future policy that the uk has around immigration is going to be one of the key questions. That is why the Prime Minister was pushed on the issue by journalists on a recent overseas trip. Theresa may has said that curbs on Freedom Of Movement when we leave the eu might not come in straightaway. That there would need to be some kind of transition period while the government and also businesses got used to the new rules. She also emphasised that because of Brexit The Uk would get control of its borders and also its immigration policy. I think her comments have left open the possibility that Freedom Of Movement could continue albeit for a short period. It has to be said there is nothing new in this and the government. No new policy. I think the tone is interesting, increasingly we are Hearing Government Ministers use caveats when talking about immigration. Labour has said theresa may has been playing down expectations and called on the government to spell out what a potential transitional deal might look like. We know that the two yea rs of look like. We know that the two years of negotiations have now started, many have said that the talks are going to be extremely tough. What we are seeing as big as theresa may and the government preparing the ground, showing a bit of give and take, that that might be needed if the government is to make a su ccess needed if the government is to make a success of brexit. Our top story this lunchtime. A service of hope has been held to remember those killed and injured in the westminster attack. Thousands of families affected by the benefit cap have been left with only 50p a week towards their rent, according to a bbc investigation. A Panorama Survey of hundreds of local councils across britain discovered that more than 7,500 families had had their weekly Housing Benefit Cut to this level. Charities say some families could end up losing their home. The cuts are part of the governments drive to get Unemployed People into work by capping their benefit payments. Richard bilton reports. Its just all so wrong. Maria is a single mum of three, shes been capped and her house is on the line. You are entitled to less Housing Benefit because of the benefit cap the government has introduced. The Benefit Cap Reduction is 65. 67. Itjust seems so wrong that they can give you the benefit. Her Housing Benefit used to cover her rent, now it has been reduced by £65 and she is £700 in arrears. Her Housing Association wants to evict her. Just dont know whether im going to have a house next month, the stress, the worry, its all hard. Panorama has spoken to councils across britain. 67,000 households have been capped so far. Ii have had their Housing Benefit reduced to just 50p. The government says those families are still getting £20,000 a year in other benefits, and thats as much as many Working Families earn. The benefit cap was introduced to try and level up the Playing Field between families who are in work and those who are reliant on benefits. And fundamentally what we sought to do was incentivise work because we know the outcomes for children will be better if they are in families that are working. Im just going to get some advice. If maria worked for 16 hours she would get her benefits back. She says she cant because of health and her childcare responsibilities. She has applied for Emergency Support and hopes the eviction can be stopped. So youre not prepared to stop Repossession Proceedings on the grounds that she paid no payments of the £65 . 0k. Right, 0k. Nojoy. Her landlord still plans to evict her. Its totally shocked me, that. There is no leeway whatsoever. For single parent families just. Prepared to see you on the streets. Maria has an Eviction Hearing in may but hopes to keep her house. Charity say other capped families will lose their homes if they dont work. Richard bilton, bbc news. And you can see richards report benefits cap is it working . In full tonight on bbc one at 9 oclock. Labours deputy leader, tom watson, has called his partys decision not to expel Ken Livingstone over his comments about adolf hitler and zionism incomprehensible. The former mayor of london was yesterday suspended for another year. Mr watson has suggested the party is indulging mr livingstone, which he says shames us all. Lets speak to our correspondent ellie price whos at westminster. Strong language from tom watson, watmore is he saying . Very Strong Language from the deputy leader of the labour party. The official line so farfrom the labour party. The official line so far from the labour party has been just to acknowledge that the ruling happened last night. But earlier tom watson spoke to the bbc and had strong words to say. |j earlier tom watson spoke to the bbc and had strong words to say. I feel ashamed that once again my party has been dragged into a row about Anti Semitism and the way that Ken Livingstone has handled this enquiry, he has showed no contrition, he has not apologised, he seems to be drunk on his own infamy. He is caused great offence to many members of the British Jewish Community and those members of the labour party who have been fighting against racism in all its forms and it is unacceptable. Tom watson is not be any Senior Labour Party member to share such views, we also heard from The Shadow Brexit secretary keir starmer and the former leader ed miliband has said the strength of our response goes directly to the ability of the labour party to be a credible vehicle to tackle prejudice and hate. In all of its forms. Kelly gets done is unrepentant, we know he is considering appealing against the decision. I should say some in the Jewish Community have backed Ken Livingstone and say it is a matter of Freedom Of Speech was not so far we have not heard anything from jeremy corbyn, apart from that official line from the labour party. I think there are fingers pointing this morning towards jeremy i think there are fingers pointing this morning Towardsjeremy Corbyn that they want a strong response from him. He has always said the labour party has no place for Anti Semitism but a strong response i think is required from him and a suggestion we be that more needs to be done in the party to root out Anti Semitism. Theresa may says ministers will take into account the encouragement given by past governments for drivers to buy diesel cars. Her comments come as more details emerge about plans to tackle the environmental damage caused by some diesel engines. Owners of diesel cars have expressed anger and confusion at the various proposals. Our Business Correspondent theo leggett is with me. A number of cities proposing higher charges, but many people bought a diesel car in good faith. Absolutely. Diesel cars have some advantages, they are economical, cheap to run and produce less Carbon Dioxide than petrol cars. So 15 yea rs dioxide than petrol cars. So 15 years ago when the priority was Climate Change targets and reducing c02 it seemed a great idea to encourage people to buy diesel cars. Tax rates willing to the amount of c02 they produced an diesel cars we re c02 they produced an diesel cars were therefore cheaper. Nowadays the emphasis is change, we know diesel ca is emphasis is change, we know diesel cars produce a lot of Nitrogen Oxides which are bad for health and many particular which also do damage was that the government has to come amount of c02 they produced an diesel cars were therefore cheaper. Nowadays the emphasis has changed, we know diesel cars produce a lot of Nitrogen Oxides which are bad for health and many particulars which also do damage was that the government has to, but the clean air planned before the end of the month, to show how it is going to tackle pollution in cities. A great target would be to reduce the number of diesel cars on the roads. The problem is how to do that when the government on one hand encouraged people to buy these cars and now suggesting they should be penalised for doing so through daily charges and so on. Theres been a lot of talk that the government could mitigate this by introducing some kind of scrappage scheme, paying people to throw away their old the old diesel cars but that would be expensive and also another problem is many people who own older diesel cars may not have the Financial Resources to buy a new one evenif Financial Resources to buy a new one even if it is discounted. A toddler is in hospital with life threatening injuries, after being bitten by a dog in a Park In Chatham in kent. Neighbours say the victim is a two year old girl. Two people have been arrested. The dog was shot dead by police last night. How would you feel about about being in a driverless car making your way through congested city streets . Well about 100 people are being given the opportunity to do just that test a Driverless Vehicle for the first time on uk roads. Theyll travel in a Prototype Shuttle along a two mile route, in greenwich in london. 0ur correspondent fiona lamdin has been to greenwich to find out more. We have every mode of transport here you can imagine. Above us the cable car, the planes keep going over my head from city airport. We have river buses, the tube, the train. And now if i could just show you, this driverless part. You do not need a driver, basically it works on sensors and a camera at the front. It is on trial for the next couple of weeks. If we stop here hopefully the doors will open. Magic. And in the doors will open. Magic. And in the get. Hello, nick. Just explain to us, this obviously is a d riverless to us, this obviously is a driverless pods, it goes automatically. But how does it actually work, seen the censors at the front . It uses a combination of cameras and lasers to understand where it is and how it needs to needs to move to get to its destination. Everyone wants to know how safe it is, if a cat or dog or pedestrian just ran in front of us, what would happen. Weve done a Programme Test of street and in this environment to make sure that it behaves as we expect it to. The cameras and the lasers are picking up all movement and the vehicle can stop safely that needs to. Well we need to do this research to understand what the public feel about the future of this technology and then if it is positive we will see a roll out of this technology. So you think by 2020 these kind of vehicles will be everywhere . Maybe not everywhere but we will see them emerging where it makes no sense and gradually see them flourish. Well the statistics say that 95 of all Car Accidents are down to human error. So the question is, is this a lot safer . The Showjumper Nick Skelton who became britains second oldest olympic gold medallist in rio last year is to retire. Skelton was competing at his seventh games 16 years after a broken neck forced his initial retirement. He will compete for the last time at windsor next month on big star the horse with which