westminster, we will have continuing political reaction, throughout this afternoon. the other main headlines this hour. thousands of commuters are hit by a 2k hour rail strike members from three train companies walk out. and the queen launches the baton relay for the 2018 commonwealth games in australia as it starts its journey around the world. it will take 388 days! it came as something of a bolt out of the blue, the scotland first minister has announced that she would like to trigger a second referendum on scottish independence. nicola sturgeon said she wants a vote between autumn next year and the spring of 2019, when the terms of the uk s exit from the eu become clear. ms sturgeon said scotland was on a path to a hard brexit over which it had no control. as we negotiate to leave the european union, i want to negotiate an agreement that is going to work for the whole of the united kingdom, that includes the scottish people, that includes the scottish people, thatis that i
we ll have the latest from westminster and holyrood in a moment. the other main stories on bbc news at 5: at westminster, mps are preparing to vote again on the brexit bill and on giving parliament a final vote on the brexit deal. rail services on some of the busiest lines in england are being disrupted because of a 24 hour strike. islamic state fighters in mosul put up tough resistance as iraqi forces advance on their positions in the city s old town. and the queen launches the baton relay for the 2018 commonwealth games in australia. it s 5 o clock. our main story is the political showdown between theresa may and nicola sturgeon on the question of holding a second referendum on scottish independence. earlier today, scotland s first minister announced she would seek permission to hold another referendum by the spring of 2019 because scotland did not want to leave the european union, and she accused theresa may of refusing to compromise on her government s approach. but the p
children are losing interest in exercise from as early as seven years old. in sport could there be two titles for chelsea this season? the premier league leaders are through to the semi finals of the fa cup, after beating manchester united. also this morning do you recognise this famous face? it is fascinating seeing the faces of people as i walk down the street. she was a big part of one of our favourite children s tv shows. you may have guessed where she is from but we will reveal it later. it is not as cold today as it was yesterday. today will be cloudy as well but there will be sunny breaks and in the sunshine it will feel quite mild for of year. in the north of scotland we have gales, severe gales and heavy wintry showers. more details on about 15 minutes. good morning. first, our main story. parliament has passed the brexit bill, paving the way for the uk to begin the formal process of leaving the european union. meanwhile, it looks like theresa may will reject nic
a critical condition in hospital. a terrorist came to the place where people of all nationalities and culture, gather and celebrate what it means to be free. and he took out his rage indiscriminately against innocent men, women and children. hello and a very good afternoon to you. the prime minister has been telling mps that the man who carried out of attack on westminster was born opinion in the uk and was known to the security services. she described the as an attack on free people everywhere and an attempt to sometimes democracy. the police have made theirfirst sometimes democracy. the police have made their first arrest in connection with the attack leaving four people dead including the perpetrator. raids were carried out in birmingham and london overnight and eight people have been arrested. theresa may has confirmed that the suspect was once investigated by mi5 over concerns of violent extremism. but that he was ‘not part of the current intelligence picture.‘ the
that this was a happy day either in brussels or london. here it is. six pages. the notification from prime minister, theresa may, triggering article 50. we ll bring you all the latest news and reaction throughout the day from here at westminster and across the uk and european union. also this afternoon, a moment of silence on westminster bridge to remember the four people who died in the terror attack here, exactly one week ago. good afternoon from westminster. after 44 years as a member of the european union, the formal process to take the united kingdom out of the eu has begun. this lunchtime a letter, signed by theresa may, has been handed to the president of the european council, donald tusk, in brussels. in the letter she says the referendum was a vote to restore britain s national self determination . one of the key points repeated several times is that the uk s view that a future deal needs to be discussed alongside a withdrawal. near the end of the letter it says