Transcripts For BBCNEWS Victoria Derbyshire 20200120

As he and meghan step down as front line royals for a more peaceful life. He says its sad its come to this but the couple, he insists, are not walking away. What i want to make clear is where not walking away and we certainly are not walking away from you. Our hope was to continue serving the queen, the commonwealth and military associations but without public funding. Unfortunately, that wasnt possible. Ive accepted this, knowing that it doesn t change who i am or how committed i am. Theyre set to earn millions how will they do it . And, eight year old farouk is a model, but he may be forced to cut his hair when he goes to secondary school. His mum says thats discrimination and tells us shes reported the schools to the equality and human rights commission. We will talk to them later. Is hi, welcome to the programme. Were live until 11 this morning. Have you been offered cash or holidays in exchange for sex . Thats our excusive story today let me know if youre big on social media and its happened to you . Use the hashtag victorialive. Email victoria bbc. Co. Uk, text 61124. Also, hs2 the high speed train line between london and manchester and leeds this leaked report says its going to cost £106 billion. The origianl cost was £33 billion. If you live in the north of england, we want to hear from you. Is it worth tthe money, or are there better projects in leeds, sheffiled, manchester that this money could be spent on . Do let me know. First, carrie has the news. Thank you. Prince harry has spoken out for the first time about the decision to step back as a senior royal, saying he is taking a leap of faith. Speaking at a Charity Event last night, he said he and the duchess of sussex had hoped to continue serving the queen without public funding but that had proved to be impossible. It brings me Great Sadness that it has come to this. The decision that i have made for my wife and i to step back is not one i made slightly. It was so many months of talks, after so many years of challenges. Two men aged 29 and 39 have been arrested on suspicion of murder after three men were stabbed to death in east london. The victims we re to death in east london. The victims were found by police, called shortly before apm last night to a disturbance on a street in seven kings in ilford. Despite the best effo rts kings in ilford. Despite the best efforts of paramedics on the scene, they were pronounced dead at the scene. An absolutely tragic event to ta ke scene. An absolutely tragic event to take place here. The hsz take place here. The hs2 high speed rail link could end up costing as much as £106 billion, according to leaks of a government commissioned review. The review, which has been seen by the financial times, also recommends the second phase of the project linking birmingham to manchester and leeds should be paused, to see whether conventional rail lines could be used instead. This programme has learned that potentially thousands of social Media Influencers are being offered incentives, ranging from luxury holidays to thousands of pounds in cash, in return for sex. The men messaging them are strangers, often live abroad and typically approach women who were followed by more than 20,000 people on social networking sites. Later in the show, we will hear from a fashion influencer who says she is regularly propositioned online and a celebrity agent who says platforms need to do more to stop unsolicited messaging. Cervical cancer could potentially be eliminated, thanks to better screening and injections for children, thats according to nhs experts. The Health Service has completed its roll out of a new cervical screening test, which sees samples first checked for the human papilloma virus and then only those who have the hpv virus examine for abnormal cells. This means any sign of infection can be spotted at an early stage, before cancer goes on to develop. One last story. Madonna has cancelled another show on her madame x world tour as she battles an ongoing but unspecified in injury. She gave fans just 45 minutes notice to her fans injury. She gave fans just 45 minutes notice to herfans in lisbon that the show was being called off. Those are your top stories, right up to date now back to victoria. Thank you very much. Good morning, hello. This programme has learnt that potentially thousands of social Media Influencers they re people with a large online following who are often paid to promote brands are also being offered incentives ranging from luxury holidays to thousands of pounds in cash in return for sex. The men messaging them are strangers, often live abroad, and typically approach women who are followed by more than 20,000 people on social networking sites. One influencer told us that social media has become a catalogue for men to select their next conquest. Ellie costello has this exclusive report. Instagram influencers sell us a lifestyle. They make money through advertising brands in exchange for payment. More followers means more paid work. But as the influencer circle becomes more saturated, its become harder than ever to make money, opening the doors to exploitation. I told him that i needed to find £5000 to pay off debts, and then he said, have sex with me and ill give you double that. Weve been told these propositions are becoming more frequent. Its high end prostitution. This programme has been told that influencers are being groomed with designer handbags, luxury holidays and thousands of pounds of cash in exchange for sex. The men messaging them on social media are strangers and often living abroad. One of those people offered money for sex is rosie williams. She starred in series four of love island. There was an offer to move across to dubai and be paid to be somebodys companion out there. But you had no idea who that person was . No, never met this person at all. Was there a monetary value on that one . I think it was around £100,000 a year, then with all my clothes and bags paid for on top and sort of my lifestyle paid for. And would you ever be tempted, for that kind of money . Its a lot of money. Personally, for me, no, i would never be tempted. So i had one recently. Ive spoken with seven influencers who, until now, have remained silent on being offered money for sex. Theyd seen it as just part of the territory of having an online presence. But now they want the young girls looking up to them to know that regularly being propositioned this way has become their reality. Ive been shown several examples of the messages theyve received. The approaches vary, sometimes directly from a man asking for sex or suggesting intimacy, others come from an Agency Acting on behalf of a wealthy client. Tyne lexy clarson was only 19 when she was sent herfirst proposition. She then went on to star in series three of love island. I had someone message me offering me £20,000 for purely dinner and drinks. And then, when i hadnt responded to that, within the next three days, it had doubled to £40,000. And then when i came off the show, obviously my profile had gone up and the same person had offered me £100,000. And then i had someone email me on behalf of a dubai businessman offering me £50,000 for five nights in dubai. Tynes offer by email came with a non disclosure agreement attached. The details of what would be required of her in dubai were to be kept secret until she agreed to keep silent about what went on once she got there. Its high end prostitution. And its just scary to think that some girls on instagram. Cos if theyve messaged me, whats to stop them messaging other people . Obviously theyve probably sent that to thousands of pretty girls on instagram. And, who knows, a few of them might have done it. A lot of them have probably done it because its a lot of money to some people. Its life changing money. Some influencers do get Luxury Products and holidays for free, but others dont get those offers and feel pressure to keep up appearances, leaving them vulnerable to this type of transaction. Rosie, there are some people that will watch this and they wont feel any sympathy. The poses are quite provocative, the clothing is quite skimpy they would say its really no surprise that youre getting these kind of propositions from men who think they can treat you like that. Just because i get my legs out in a short dress doesnt mean you can buy those legs. Theyre still mine. Its mine to show off and mine to give to somebody. Do you think you were ever sufficiently warned or told how to deal with that . Always been told about the trolling, warned about that, and just warned about the fact that your life will change dramatically because Everyone Wants to know about it. But ive never been sat down and told, oh, by the way, you could have men wanting to buy you. I just dont think we would talk about it, because we i either dont need to engage in that sort of transactions, so we dont speak about it. Or we may have done it and were ashamed to speak about it. This programme has received an anonymous written account from somebody who claims to be a british reality star. She was too afraid to be filmed, but she wants her story we told. Weve reconstructed her words with an actress. Were calling her isabel. I was first approached on instagram by a man who was about ten years older than me. It was after id been on a talent tv show. I know it sounds shallow, but when a really, really rich person is offering you all these designer items for free, its really. Its hard to say no. So, i didnt actually meet him for 18 months. By that point, wed been speaking every single day, so i was actually, like, excited to meet him. He was really pleasant when i was there. When we were at dinner, we were drinking and he sort of outright asked me about my finances. I sort of started crying at this point because i told him that i needed to find £5000 to pay off debts that i had my to my family and pay my rent. And then he said, have sex with me and ill give you double that. I agreed to it and we went back to his hotel room. I felt kind of a mixture of degraded, really annoyed at myself, violated. I dont feel like its prostitution because it is a targeted relationship that progresses over time, whereas i think prostitution is where you agree a fee with a stranger for a service. We shared this anonymous testimony with the feminist group object. I really understand why young women do that. But the reality is that they are selling themselves and their bodies for money. Ultimately, its about exploitation and the reality is, most probably that young woman will end up doing things for that money that she doesnt want to associate herself with, that actually make her feel ashamed. But what can be done to protect influencers from being propositioned online . Rob cooper is a celebrity agent. I would say a high level influencer or celebrity with a big following probably receives them every day. He says the problem is so extensive that social media platforms like instagram should crack down on it by making people verify their accounts. If there was a way of somebody being held accountable to that profile, whether thats a driving licence, a passport number, a National Insurance number, then what it means is people arent going to be as out there, cos if you report and block, its so easy to open a new profile. If it gets blocked, you have to appeal to get it back rather than be able to set up a new one, then i think that would sort a lot of the issues out. Instagram refused to comment on the idea of a document founded account, but they did tell us in a statement that sexual solicitation is not tolerated on their platform and that those who break their guidelines would be banned. But for women who have taken up such arrangements, its clear that the effects are long lasting. There was a small part of me that felt empowered, but overall i felt dirty. Lets talk now to fashion influencer yvonne victoria who says shes regularly propositioned online. In fact, it happens every single week. Lauryn goodman who posted pictures of the harrasment she received on her social media accounts. Journalist helena wadia, who says shes shocked but not surpised at the harrasment women are facing online, agent rob cooper, who who represents Meghan Markles half sister, stormy daniels, and katie price. Yvonne, what kind of propositions are you getting . It started when i was about 17. The biggest one was an e mail, i will pay you 15,000 to fly to the maldives. I didnt respond and it does get higher and higher the more you dont respond. But now it is kind of disguised because in this era of social media, all it ta kes this era of social media, all it takes is a screenshot but with that being said, its not always direct profiles. Its like theyve made a separate profile for themselves so they dont reveal their true identity so in a lot of cases, you dont know who you are talking to. How do you know that what they want in exchanges you to have sex with them . For me, it doesnt take much to understand that. There are people who will just give to understand that. There are people who willjust give you money. For nothing . For nothing because that is some peoples fetishism or something. But. I cant explain it. Its kind of like the tone of the conversation. I personally never truly get engaged in the conversations, but things like, oh, i would like you to fly to x, y and zto i would like you to fly to x, y and z to meet me. To do what . What could we possibly do . All it takes is a screenshot which is exactly what you did, you shed one of the propositions you received on your instagram and proposition is quite a polite name for it. Tell us why you decided to post about it so publicly . I just decided to post about it so publicly . Ijust felt decided to post about it so publicly . I just felt that women might see those messages and think, oh, im really special, ijust received this message, im going to reply back. People might be in different situations to what i am. We are showing our view is now exactly what was posted to you and your reply, lauryn. This makes you want to gag, doesnt it, disgusting . Yes, that was a lady one, a female. That has come from a woman . There was a man for 30000 and thena woman . There was a man for 30000 and then a woman started messaging me, i didnt know what she wanted at first. Does it make any difference if the woman is a middle person, if ican if the woman is a middle person, if i can put it like that . It felt like it was getting worse. Because for the manl it was getting worse. Because for the man i just it was getting worse. Because for the man ijust screenshot it, put it oii the man ijust screenshot it, put it on my instagram and let people know what was happening out there and that they didnt need to feel pressured to go about this life style, pressured to go about this lifestyle, if thats not what they actually wanted to do, you know . With the woman, i didnt have a clue what she was messaging me for. I thought it was the modelling. I actually engaged with her and it made me angry. You have heard of women coming back with 30 k from dubai and being terrified about security . Yes, i heard a story of a woman asking a man if they would carry the cash through. He said no and he was stopped for cigarettes, so and he was stopped for cigarettes, so he couldnt believe it. For that kind of money, i gather you also think it wouldnt simply be straight, normal sex . No, do you know whats really bad . I was out here yesterday and there was another story that came out that it was actually people defecating on people. You know. Urinating and so oii. People. You know. Urinating and so on. Gross. I think people. You know. Urinating and so on. Gross. Ithink yvonne people. You know. Urinating and so on. Gross. I think yvonne you received a photo this week of a man showing his flashy watch in front of a private jet and showing his flashy watch in front of a privatejet and had come to spain . Yes, ididnt a privatejet and had come to spain . Yes, i didnt respond, its still there. But things like that happen very regularly. Helena, what is your reaction . I think what we need to remember is this is essentially grooming. These men are watching these instagram influences, building a rapport with them, making them feel safe, making them feel they may know them and then they are offering them money, which is what they need to stand out in such a saturated market of the instagram influencer world. You have to think, if somebody is making you sign an nba, you can imagine what is taking place is not consensual. But let me ask this, if you are agreeing, if you are going to dubai for 30 k and signing an nda, is there not an argument that that is consensual . There is an argument for that, i can see why people would say that. However, what i think we need to understand is instagram influences are getting younger and younger. And with the youth comes naivete and a lack of financial independence, and so lack of financial independence, and so these are easy targets for men. Also, they dont use the language that, as yvonne pointed out, they dont use language like have sex with me, they use stuff like dinner and drinks and intimacy. If you are young and naive and somebody is offering you life changing money for dinnerand drinks, you might take them up on that offer and then you may be in a situation where you are incapable of saying no thats a really scary situation because thats what leads to assault. Rob, in terms of the people you represent, have they been offered cash in exchange for sex . Yeah, i think nearly every a list are out there has been offered it at some point. They seem to target people from the season before, like with love island. If they have just come off the show, there is less chance. When they are a year in, people know they are struggling with cash and they are struggling with cash and they are struggling with cash and they are more likely to take the opportunity, because you have situations like in october when katie jarvis was job situations like in october when katiejarvis was job ashamed for doing a normaljob. Absolutely, she was in our doing a normaljob. Absolutely, she was in oui programme. Doing a normaljob. Absolutely, she was in our programme. They dont wa nt to was in our programme. They dont want to do a normaljob because of the embarrassment that comes with that said theyd take this darker route instead. I think thats one of the issues. So you have suggested document backed verification for instagram accounts. Tell me why that would stop men or women acting on behalf of these men propositioning lauryn or avon . I dont think it will eliminate the problem com pletely will eliminate the problem completely but it will stop people being as brazen. It might be another issue. I think at the moment you can set up an account, you can send out of these offers, and then if you get blocked or that account gets taken down, you just set up another one. Not only that, the forms of contact that happen between the two people have kept on social media. Once something happens, sometimes that social media platform is removed and then you have lost contact. Then its hard because its ha rd to contact. Then its hard because its hard to keep that person identifiable. Its notjust happening to women. There was a comment from a man saying it has happened to him. Again, with reality tv, in the last 18 months love ireland alone has churned out 89 Reality Stars and with this season, it will increase. The problem you have got it somebody would go on the show, the show gets about 35 co ntesta nts a nd half show, the show gets about 35 contestants and half will be men, good looking men. They come off and they normally have one year to earn money before the next lot come along. Now it has shortened even more to six months. Reality shows are using these people for profit, people just disposing of them and its hard for them to make money off the back of it. Another email says i want to contribute to the conversation by saying this isnt limited to female influences, im approached by men and women on instagram offering gifts or money in return for certain things. Often innocent communication but often very explicit requests. The men who message me are often younger and british and the women who message me are older, often married and again from the uk. Let me tell you what instagram says. Sexual solicitation is not tolerated on instagram and those who repeatedly break our guidelines will be banned. We want instagram to be a safe place for people to invest themselves express themselves. Rob has given his potential solution that might help a little bit. Let me ask yvonne, helena and lauryn what you would do to stop this . As an influencer or as instagram . would do to stop this . As an influencer or as instagram . I dont mind, however you feel would be the best way for it to be stopped . Maybe its just a message to men and women to stop propositioning other men and women on instagram . to stop propositioning other men and women on instagram . I think, yeah, thatis women on instagram . I think, yeah, that is a good way to play it but we have to be realistic. This isnt just something that is social media based. Its more projected and magnified due to social media. Its easy on social media, thats the thing. Easier on social media but i wasjust saying, i was thing. Easier on social media but i was just saying, i was working thing. Easier on social media but i wasjust saying, i was working in a very Popular Department store and i used to get these propositions in person as well. Its not something thatis person as well. Its not something that isjust a social media issue. I think we just generally need to educate people and understand, ok, people cannot be bought. It does tend to be rich men who feel they are kind of. Go on, lauryn . Entitled, they feel as if because they have money they can exploit people and do whatever. The problem is that they pick you out as if you are in an argos catalogue. They are going through, they pick up instagram, people they like, they like this hair, this type of the body. It is crazy. But i dont think, you know, the past but then, they will properlyjust get a fake passport and attach it to an account. Its sad but this is the world we live in and there is only so world we live in and there is only so much we can do. To educate people is probably the best way, which is why i put on my story. But honestly, they girl that messaged me, when i we nt they girl that messaged me, when i went back through my dms to check before they show what she had said, she had changed her profile. The whole name had changed. Briefly, helena, yourfinal thought . Whole name had changed. Briefly, helena, your final thought . whole name had changed. Briefly, helena, your finalthought . I think Tech Companies need to stand up and ta ke Tech Companies need to stand up and take responsibility, facebook, twitter, instagram, they dont have the best history of protecting Vulnerable People on their site. There needs to be a social shift ultimately. Its all very well to say to women block, mute, ignore but there shouldnt be anything for these women to block, mute or ignore in the first place was that there needs to be a social shift and i believe this starts with better and more comprehensive Sex Education in schools, for example. That isjust one route we could have their shift. Thank you all very much, really appreciate it, thank you for coming on the programme. Coming up later in the programme. Well meet eight year old faroukjames, whos been told hell have to cut off his amazing long hair if he wants to go to any of his local secondary schools. His mum will tell us why shes reported them to the equality and human rights commission. And prince harry says hes not walking away from the royals, as he speaks for the First Time Since that bombshell announcemtn that he and meghan want to step down as senior royals. Well get reaction including from a top agent who says they cld become a billion dollar brand. The high speed rail link hs2 could end up costing more than £100 billion. Thats according to the results of a review ordered by the government which has been seen by the financial times. The document hasnt been published yet, and the department for transport insists it is a draft. £8 billion has already been spent on the project. Hs2 is a new railway line which, once completed, will run from london to the west midlands, manchester and leeds. There is a map. The trains will have a top speed of 250 miles an hour, and will cutjourney times in half. Supporters say the route is vital to the uk economy and getting the country better connected. Critics say the link will destroy the countryside and cost too much. Ive been speaking to councillorjudith blake whos the labour leader of Leeds City Council and a big backer of hs2. Its just not good enough, this continuing uncertainty. What we are talking about all the time is levelling up the country, really getting the long overdue investment across the country, through the midlands, right up into the north. What we know is this is about far more thanjust what we know is this is about far more than just speed, its about capacity, connectivity. Its about giving business the opportunity to grow and to thrive, providing the jobs that we really need for our young people. But its the uncertainty that is just not good enough. And what were actually saying is that we are dependent on a victorian rail system across north. Its absolutely up to capacity, there is no resilience in it. One incident and the whole network falls over. What we are looking at is investment for the next 150 years. It cant be taken as a short term measure. We have to look at it in its broadest context. We need the discussion, we need the government to actually get on and make the decision and we understand from the lea k decision and we understand from the leak that the report is actually recommending that hs2 goes ahead in full. That is something that will be welcomed right across the north island in the midlands as well, but we need the government to actually now take this seriously, engage with us, work with us, so we can get progress and move forward and get the real confidence going that we are going to get the investment we need to thrive. If it is 106 billion, its worth it . If you look at it in the context of investment for 150 years ahead and all the work that weve done about the economic benefit, the jobs, that weve done about the economic benefit, thejobs, their that weve done about the economic benefit, the jobs, their capacity, unlocking the existing network, which is absolutely rammed with people and is appalling and also linking with the local transport schemes to make sure that we get our city is moving. A game changer. You talked about levelling up at the economic benefits but this report says that the work is needed to assess the scheme because my impact on regional growth and its quote ha rd to on regional growth and its quote hard to say what economic benefits will result from building hs2 . Hard to say what economic benefits will result from building h52 . |j think we need to sit down and talk with the government and find out exactly what the government actually means by that. Werejust exactly what the government actually means by that. Were just talking speculation at the moment. Are you saying there are absolutely tangible and significant benefits from building hs2, when it comes to boosting the economy in manchester, leeds, sheffield, birmingham . Absolutely. Look at hs one, nobody would argue against the investment that went into that now but also, i would urge everyone to go to birmingham, where there has been more certainty about the scheme progressing. You can see the difference. You know that businesses are looking at investing. We have businesses coming into leeds on a regular basis now. The fact that hs2 is on the books and looking like moving forward, linking into Northern Powerhouse rail, the north west link, its the game changer. Its not unanimous across the north of england, is it . There are people in your part of the world and on the other side of the pennines to say it is now so much money, you could better spend that amount of money on other Infrastructure Projects across the north . The argument we are making as it has to be an integrated scheme. The money already earmarked for hs2 brings about and enables the engineering for Northern Powerhouse rail. If hs2 is scrapped, all that money that goes with the hs2 ticket will have to transfer onto Northern Powerhouse rail. What we are saying is we need an integrated system, hs2 coming up and linking into Northern Powerhouse rail, freeing up capacity on local lines and delivering the step change we need in terms of investment in the north. One final question, you are the labour leader of Leeds City Council so what would it say about Boris Johnsons commitment to the north of england if hs2 is paused or scrapped . Commitment to the north of england if hsz is paused or scrapped7m seems schizophrenic. One minute they talk about moving the house of lords to york, and the next minute there seems to be uncertainty about the Real Infrastructure investment that we have been promised. Everyone is waiting for this. What would it say about him if it was paused or scrapped . He likes his reputation of making bold decisions and this is a real opportunity to make that. But this is cross Party Support will stop you will have seen we are working closely with the conservative mayor in the west midlands, where. Conservative mayor in the west midlands, where. This conservative mayor in the west midlands, where. This is notjust purely Party Political politics. This is working across the piece and getting investment we need. He needs to be bold and get on with it. Michael says, whatever the cost, its essential hs2 is completed to update our failed railways and drive industry and commerce away from a london centric economy. Nigel says its required, get on with it and build it. Mark says, short term pain for long term gain. Ian says that its nearly half the cost of brexit by this Time Next Year but at least we would have something tangible to show for it. If hs2 was abandoned to the money earmarked for the project would get spaffed away and not get spent regenerating the regions. Keep your comments coming in. Before 11 00am. Whats been the impact of the huge fires on australias wildlife . Well speak to an expert who reckons the fires may have killed over a billion animals. Well meet 8 year old faroukjames whos been told hell have to cut off his amazing long hair if he wants to go to any of his local secondary schools. His mum will tell us why shes reporting them to the eqaulities and human rights commission. Were not walking away. Prince harry talking for the very first time about his and meghans decision to step down as front line royals. He made an emotional speech at a Fund Raising Reception in Central London for a charity he co founded which helps children living with hiv in southern africa. This is what he had to say. I want you to hear the truth from me, as much as i can share, not as a prince or a duke, but as harry, the same person many you have watched grow up over the last 35 years, but now with a clearer perspective. The uk is my home, and a place that i love. That will never change. I have grown up feeling supported from so many of you, and i watched as you welcomed meghan with open arms, as you saw me find the love and happiness that id hoped for all my life. Finally, the second son of diana got hitched. Hooray. Laughter. I also know that youve come to know me well enough over all these years to trust that the woman i chose as my wife upholds the same values as i do. And she does. And shes the same woman i fell in love with. The couple have agreed to not to use their hrh titles, and to pay back the £2. 11 million spent on upgrading Frogmore Cottage in the grounds of windsor castle. Harry implied that he had wanted to continue to carry out some duties. What i want to make clear is we are not walking away. And we are certainly not walking away from you. Our hope was to continue serving the queen, the commonwealth, and my military associations, but without public funding. Unfortunately that wasnt possible. Ive accepted this knowing that it doesnt change who i am, or how committed i am. But i hope that helps you understand what it had come to, that i would step my family back from all i had ever known, to take a step forward into what i hope can be a more peaceful life. I was born into this life, and it is a great honour to serve my country and the queen. When i lost my mum 23 years ago, you took me under your wing. You looked out for me for so long, but the media is a powerfulforce, and my hope is one day our collective support for each other can be more powerful because this is so much bigger than just us. And he spoke with some emotion about his son archie and the queen. It has also been a privilege to meet so many of you and to feel your excitement for our son archie, who saw snow for the first time the other day and thought it was bloody brilliant. Laughter. I will always have the utmost respect for my grandmother, my commander in chief, and im incredibly grateful to her and the rest of my family for the support they have shown meghan and eye over shown meghan and i over the last few months. We have some breaking news from the bbc big boss, the director general tony hall has announced he will step down as boss of the bbc in the summer. He has sent an e mail to all staff saying it has been such a hard decision for me. I am passionate about our values, the role we play in the country and globally. If i follow my heart then i will genuinely never want to leave but i believe an important part of leadership is putting the interests of the organisation first. The bbc has an 11 year charter and our mission is secure until 2027. We have a mid term review process for the spring of 2022 that will decide if the licence fee will be going up, changed or reformed. As i said last week, we have to develop ideas for both and it must be right to the bbc has one person to lead it through both stages. The director general of the bbc, lord tony hall, announcing he will step down in the summer. He will be here for the next six months, as he has been for the last seven yea rs. Months, as he has been for the last seven years. I do know tony. Bonnie greer, commentator and columnist for the new european newspaper. Tony and i served on the Royal Opera House board because thats where i met him. We have served on other boards. How do you think he has run the bbc . I think it has overwhelmed him. I think the conservative government has had it in for this organisation from the get go. I think he is a lifer. I remember the day he came back to the bbc, he was so elated. I think the conservatives had it in for him. David cameron said in 2010, at the beginning, that they saw the bbc, in so many words, is kind of the enemy. They never said they saw the enemy. They never said they saw the bbc as the enemy. Then chancellor George Osborne came to a deal with tony hall that over 75 licence fee would be paid for by the bbc for stuff that is accurate to stop but you read subtext and they didnt like the bbc. And they still dont like the bbc. I think it has been a lot of pressure for the organisation and for him. If the licence fee is taken away then that is the end of the bbc. That is what the bbc is. Otherwise it becomes american television, i know a lot about that and its not nice. Lets speak to the top agent professorjonathan shalit. I have met tony many times and i think he has been fantastic but to put it in context, he has done the job for six or seven years, and thats normal time for a big boss at the head of a company. Moving on after that time is quite normal. He was going to be moving on soon and i think the point he makes about making sure one person overseen is the midway path of the licence fee is important. I think the job would overwhelm anyone. I dont think its necessarily personal to tony. Its one of the biggestjobs in the uk. Who do you think should take over . Thats too big a question for me to answer. I think samira ahmed could run it. Seriously . Im not being facetious. I think she could run this organisation. It has incredible challenges in terms of streaming. The competition there. It has to think very seriously about diversity. It has to think about pgy diversity. It has to think about pay. I think samir ahmed would be very good. I wont be drawn into this. The politically correct thing would be to talk about diversity or a woman, but the truth as it has to be the best person for the role. Im not saying anything politically correct, i believe she is the best person for the role. You are both here to talk about harry but thank you for discussing the bbc. Did you find what harry had to say last night moving or insightful . Im old enough to remember diana standing on the steps of the lindo wing with this little baby, harry, and watching him through his whole life, he has been consistent with who he is. He has wanted to serve, he has tried to find out how to do it. He has had all his life in the public eye. Nobody can forget him walking behind his mothers funeral cortege. The problems he had, talking about his Mental Health issues. He had to leave the military because he was a danger to himself and others. He is head of the royal marines, but will have to step down from that now, so this all must be fairly heartbreaking for him. I think he is talking from his heart, he has met someone he loves who loves him back. He finally has a baby. He always wa nted he finally has a baby. He always wanted children and he is moving on. Jonathan, what value would you put on the sussex brand as they establish themselves abroad . |j on the sussex brand as they establish themselves abroad . I think the value is almost unquantifiable. Isaid on the value is almost unquantifiable. I said on twitter yesterday that they could be a billion dollar brand. I think that could quite easily be achieved. There has never beena easily be achieved. There has never been a royal on the commercial marketplace like there is now. Even though they cant use the titles of hrh, they are still royal and will still go to royal events in the uk and that association will go around the world. For people in america, asia and africa to be able to work with someone who is a member of the British Royal family is quite extraordinary. Do you think they are guaranteed to status indefinitely or is there a window opportunity . Normally with any celebrity or somebody in the public limelight there is a window and you have to work hard to keep that going. Its rare you meet somebody like joan collins for example, who goes on forever. But this is unique, he will bea forever. But this is unique, he will be a royal, prince harry, for ever. In time his father and brother could become king. This is a unique case. They need to associate with the right people and companies to protect their brand image. That is key. Thomas markle, meghans father said yesterday that they are turning it into walmart with a crown. He wouldnt actually know anything about it, hes not in this business. Jonathan is totally correct was that i would add, if we talk about branding, this country has missed a trick. This country is going into a new phase in its national life. How wonderful it would have been to have these two people as Brand Ambassadors for brexit britain. Here we have a woman of african ancestry, she is american, international, she knows how to be on stage. They have a beautiful baby. He is a royal prince. It would have been wonderful for them to go out into the world and say, what a great place this is. Dont worry, everything will be cool dont worry, everything will be cool. They are not going to do that now. A few remainers might have thought that wasnt appropriate. They could have done it in a way that would have sold it. In the United States people will see this as the tag line for the movie, she fled and he went into exile. Thats basically what its about, thats what happened. I agree with jonathan, they have a new kind of thing, they are very new. She has the savvy to understand how to do what she needs to do and he will learn. If he stays harry, which is what he is, they will love him in the states and everywhere. Thank you both are coming on the programme. More on the breaking news that the bbcs director general tony hall has announced he will step down in the summer. Our media correspondent David Sillito is here. Why is this happening . There will be a review of the licence fee in 2022 and the charter for the bbc is a review of the licence fee in 2022 and the charterfor the bbc is in 2027. He says he believes that one man or woman, whoever replaces him, should make the decisions about the long term future of the bbc so this is the time to step down. He will have been in charge for about seven yea rs, pretty have been in charge for about seven years, pretty normal for a director general. Seven or eight yea rs has director general. Seven or eight years has been parfor the course in the past. And names in the hat to takeover, because it will be crucial. There are names such as james pernell, within the bbc. But also could well be from outside the bbc. One of the big things that has been talked about, if you look at when he started 2013 to now, the big change is the streamers like amazon and netflix. The changing media, you are competing globally, notjust british media, so somebody who understands that global position of the bbc and could well be from outside the bbc. Thank you, david. Next to australia, where more than 80 fires are still burning across New South Wales and victoria despite the storms over the last few days that have brought hail, torrential rain and flooding. Strong winds have also generated clouds of dust, like this one in narromine in New South Wales, which have blacked out the sky in some towns. At least 28 people have died as a result of the fires which have torn through millions of acres of bush, woodland and national parks. But its the country s wildlife that has been most devastated. Its estimated over a billion animals have died. We can talk to the man who has come up with that estimate, christopher dickman, who is professor of ecology at the university of sydney. Several weeks ago he estimated that 480 million animals would be killed in the bushfires. Hes now revised that to over a billion. And erica martin, the ceo of hsi australia, an organisation which aims to safeguard animals. When the fires started to rage on Kangaroo Island, off the south australian coast near adelaide, she and her colleagues tried to save every animal they could. Professor, can you tell our british audience how you came to the estimation of a billion animals questioning over the estimate derived from earlier work we had done where we compiled the densities we could find for animals, birds and reptiles from published and unpublished studies. When you know the average density of each of these animalgroups, the average density of each of these animal groups, per unit of land area, per hectare in this case, you can multiply the density by the area affected. In the case of the fires, the earliest estimates when 3 million hectares of forests were burning, and the more recent estimates come from 5 million hectares in New South Wales plus 2. 5 million hectares in victoria, giving more than a billion animals. You have seen the devastation on Kangaroo Island in particular. Tell us Kangaroo Island in particular. Tell us how you went into these burning forests a nd us how you went into these burning forests and what the mission was. We we nt forests and what the mission was. We went down to Kangaroo Island thinking we could head down there because it has been described as australias galapagos, there is an extraordinary amount of wildlife there. Up to a third of it is now completely destroyed by bushfires. What we saw is honestly nothing short of apocalyptic. I have never seen anything like it. It was literally carcasses of animals, charred corpses, step by step by step, we were walking over them. We initially went to do an assessment and it rapidly became a search and rescue mission. Amongst the devastation we were miraculously finding survivors. Professor, our audience here knows there has been discussion amongst politicians there about whether this is related to climate change. You say absolutely, of course it is. Yes, and one of the reasons for doing so is that in 2008, an extensive report indicated that with the drying and heating trend in southern australia we could expect fires of the magnitude we have seen recently by the year 2020. The science that went into that initial report was pretty solid, and the timing has turned out to be pretty accurate in terms of the fires predicted. A very much this is climate change. There is really nothing that can be said to the contrary. Erica, i wonder nothing that can be said to the contrary. Erica, iwonder what nothing that can be said to the contrary. Erica, i wonder what you make of the response from the australian government. Its encouraging that they have made a response. They set aside 50 million foran response. They set aside 50 million for an Immediate Response for wildlife victims of the bushfires. I am pleased they have described it as am pleased they have described it as a first step, and an initial amount. What we are seeing across the country is horrific. It will take an enormous investment to do what we can to bring these areas back. Sadly there are some the species that we honestly feel will be lost forever. We appreciate your time and thank you for speaking to our british audience. This is eight year old faroukjames. Hes a child model with over 250,000 followers on instagram, and as you can see, hes got amazing and very long hair. But, when he goes to secondary school he will have to cut it all off to get a place. Because hes a boy. And his mum tells us exclusively this morning shes reported the schools to the equality and human rights comission because if he was a girl he wouldnt have to cut off his hair. Farouk, come here and join us. Good morning and thank you for coming on the programme. Tell us why you love your hair. I love my hair because its unique and lots of people dont have my hair. They are scared of being themselves. I want to be myself. If you were forced to cut off your hair in order to get a place at a local secondary school near you , place at a local secondary school near you, how would you feel . would feel devastated for sub i would feel devastated for sub i would just start to cry. Bonnie, this is an issue with the local secondary schools. What are their policies when it comes to the length of hairfor policies when it comes to the length of hair for boys . I have been looking into hair policies for boys and have been affected by it for the la st and have been affected by it for the last ten years. I have an older son who was suspended for having his hair too short, he who was suspended for having his hairtoo short, he had who was suspended for having his hair too short, he had a who was suspended for having his hairtoo short, he had a number one cut and the rules said it had to be number two. All three local schools to me, which our Christian Faith schools, which you would like farouk to go to, they each have various ways of having the same rule. Boys are not allowed long hair. They have to have their hair short and it has to have their hair short and it has to be above the collar. What you think of those policies . They are outdated and unfair and discriminatory for boys, as girls are discriminatory for boys, as girls a re allowed discriminatory for boys, as girls are allowed to have long hair. One of the schools i approached, a mixed school, and i think they are in breach of the human rights act of 2010 because they specifically have one rule for the girls and one rule for the boys, which is sexist. What have you done about that . for the boys, which is sexist. What have you done about that . I wrote to the equality of human rights committee. I the equality of human rights committee. Lam the equality of human rights committee. I am pursuing a lawsuit against at least two schools. One based on sexism and the equality rights of 2010 and another school that have responded to me, and for that have responded to me, and for that school, they have actually crossed the line and they are exploring into an area of racism because their policies state that not only does a boy have to have short hair, in addition to that, he cannot have braids or dreadlocks. And you believe these rules are not only sexist but also racist. Exactly. Why notjust only sexist but also racist. Exactly. Why not just cut the only sexist but also racist. Exactly. Why notjust cut the hair off . I have been planning to cut his hairand off . I have been planning to cut his hair and have off . I have been planning to cut his hairand have been off . I have been planning to cut his hair and have been softly preparing him to have it cut because for me education is key. When you live in london, you have so many other fears about a child entering secondary school. So many children are getting hurt on the streets of london, there is bullying and Mental Health. I wa nt is bullying and Mental Health. I want to give him an easy ride in secondary school so i have been softly preparing him and encouraging him to cut it but he is adamant he doesnt want to. When i observe his reactions to my suggestions of him cutting it, i am reactions to my suggestions of him cutting it, lam now reactions to my suggestions of him cutting it, i am now fearful it could result in trauma and Mental Health for him. Therefore ive had to prioritise his Mental Health over education. However, im not a person i think is capable of home schooling him, so if worst comes to worst i might have to cut his hair. But it isa might have to cut his hair. But it is a catch 22. He could go to school with short hair and end up with some post traumatic syndrome. With short hair and end up with some posttraumatic syndrome. Could it lead to that, seriously . posttraumatic syndrome. Could it lead to that, seriously . I honestly think it could. I have been sent videos from other mothers who have had their children having their hair cut, and it has taken them a long time to recover. They cant be themselves. They dont feel confident any more. They are unhappy, which means they cant access education. Just to read you a couple of messages, and you can respond. Some are supportive. Deborah on twitter says its. Why are schools so touchy about hair. Hair colour and style do not affect learning ability forced a bit ridiculous to stop another viewer says, if you give a boy a skinhead he will also be turfed out, which is what you said about your older son. Another viewer says, if you dont like the rules then top. I cant show up at work with tracksuit bottoms on. In terms of discipline at schools, kids kind of have to look the same. But you cant look the same, ourskin look the same. But you cant look the same, our skin colour, our eyes and hair colour . Its impossible to look the same. I appreciate uniform, im all for that, look the same. I appreciate uniform, im all forthat, i look the same. I appreciate uniform, im all for that, i love the smart uniform will stop the guy who talks about tracksuit bottoms, thats clothing. This is not a natural part of him. His hair is a natural part of him. His hair is a natural part of him. His hair is a natural part of him. There have been times in his life where his hair is longer than his limbs. His hair is his identity. It makes him happy and confident. Ian asks, could you braid it or tie it back . Myself . Or maybe your mum could do it for you, to get it out of the way, would that get round the problem with the schools . One of the schools says no braids or dreadlocks. So, no, we cant get past that one at that school forced up past that one at that school forced up but the other school, it doesnt say anything about it. Another school set short hair. We do braid his head during the week. Its out today just because we his head during the week. Its out todayjust because we are on the programme. But it says for health and safety reasons we have to tie it back and we do appreciate that. You have to keep it away from the bunsen burners you are prepared to take legal action and you have written to the human rights commission. Please sign the petition on the website. And any other mother with children with hair that apparently breaks rules, we will be outside the houses of parliament campaigning against schools with these ridiculous hair policies. Please sign the petition a quick reminder of the breaking news that bbc boss tony hall will step down in the summer. He has written an e mail to staff in the last half an hour saying it was a difficult decision, and he is passionate about the bbc and its role in the country and globally. More on bbc newsroom live next. And sunny day across many parts of england and wales. Cold and frosty with more clout further north. A strong area of High Pressure will be with us not just strong area of High Pressure will be with us notjust today but throughout the course of the week. I think this afternoon will be the last of the very sunny days across the country because it will turn cloudy as we head through the week. Already quite a bit of cloud across scotland, Northern Ireland and north west england. More breeze here as well. Milder in the north, ten or 11 degrees. After a cold start in the south, temperatures of seven or eight through the afternoon. Staying cloudy across the overnight. The weather front slipping south. Some light and patchy rain in scotland but further south it will be cold and frosty again with fog developing, some could be dense, but less cold across the north. Watch out for fog through Tuesday Morning thrust up through the week it looks like it will stay largely dry but cloudy with mist and fog. You re watching bbc newsroom live its 11am and these are the main stories this morning. The duke of sussex says there was really no other option in stepping back from being a senior royal. Prince harry speaks publicly for the First Time Since the new royal arrangments were announced. The decision that i have made for my wife and i to step back is not one i made lightly. It was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges and i know i havent always got it right, but as far as this goes, there really was no other option. Two men are arrested on suspicion of murder after three men were killed in north east london. Despite the best efforts of paramedics on the scene, they were pronounced dead on the scene