ifind other countries wanting to talk to the uk and i chaired the uk and braziljoint economic the uk and i chaired the uk and brazil joint economic and the uk and i chaired the uk and braziljoint economic and trade committee, brazil is the ninth biggest economy in the world and they were talking about the opportunities they see for britain. there is optimism outside in the rest of the world in contrast to some of the pessimism that we get here in the uk. allie renison, head of europe & trade policy at the institute of directorsjoins us. our people and you pessimistic —— are people on duty press mr? —— on julie pessimistic? those countries won't be pessimistic because they are not involved in the same way. what can the uk do in terms of starting trade talks question —— trade talks? terms of starting trade talks question -- trade talks? legally you can't breach the treaties at the moment which are reserved for eu commission competences, that has been suspended in the transition, after the withdrawal agreement last week that says the uk can on a case—by—case basis begin

the eu is the uk's biggest markets and the uk isa the uk's biggest markets and the uk is a big market for the eu. furthermore, we have a unique starting point where on day one we will both have the same laws and rules. so rather than having to bring two different systems closer together the task will be to manage the relationship once we are two separate legal systems. to do so and to realise his level of ambition, there are five things that must underline our relationship. first we need reciprocal commitments to ensure open competition. such commitments are part and parcel of any trade agreement. why would any country enter into a privileged economic partnership without any means of redress of the other party engaged in anti—competitive practices. but the level of integration with the uk and eu markets and our geographical proximity means that these reciprocal commitments will be particularly important in ensuring that uk business can compete fairly with eu markets and vice versa. they deep and copper offensive agreement with the eu will therefore need to include commitments reflec

uk. to ensure we are able to see the uk. to ensure we are able to see the farming industry thrive when we are outside the eu. i believe there isa are outside the eu. i believe there is a really good future for farmers in scotland, and other parts of the uk, outside of the eu. with reference to the common agriculture policy, the scottish government say that without knowing about the financial deal between scotland and the uk over replacing common agricultural policy, they cannot kick this to delete the meat details ofa kick this to delete the meat details of a new system of support. —— they cannot give details. there are two strands we are talking about. one is the way we are discussing with the scottish government how we can ensure that when we leave the eu, we devolve more powers down to the scottish government and we ensure also those markets that are important for scottish farmers and businesses, markets elsewhere in the uk, still able to be open, through not providing barriers wit

i'm sure the people of the uk are pleased that it isa people of the uk are pleased that it is a prime minister who is standing behind that dispatch box today, defending the rule of law and the citizens of this country. defending the rule of law and the citizens of this countryli defending the rule of law and the citizens of this country. i say that land my party fully support the prime minister's statements. but can i ask, what is her response to the brave leader of the opposition in russia? who is not allowed to stand in the presidential election. who has said that the most effective action the british government can ta ke action the british government can take is to use its legal powers such as the unexplained wealth orders against named individuals who are critical to the putin operation? a labour mp had two suggestions for cracking down on russian money—laundering. she could bring forward the public register of ownership properties, which was promised by her predecessor in 2015, and has been delayed by this government, and in the second place, she could increase transparency in

so the uk will retaliate. the united kingdom will now expel 23 russian diplomats who have been identified as undeclared intelligence officers. they have just one week to leave. this was notjust an act of attempted murder in salisbury, norjust an act against the uk. it is an affront to the prohibition on the use of chemical weapons, and it is an affront to the rules—based system on which we and our international partners depend. so, 23 diplomats suspected of being spies have seven days to leave, all high—level contact between the uk and russia is also being suspended, and no minister or member of the royal family will go to the world cup. and some russian state assets could be frozen with possible new laws to crack down on hostile states. blade anger displayed in westminster that this is happening in british streets. —— anger displayed. anger displayed in westminster that this is happening on british streets. in dorset today, the lorry that removed the skripals‘ car, seized. in salisbury, the bench wh

it will only be a uk if it issued if the uk asks for that and asks the uk as a whole to take sanctions against russia. there has a lwa ys sanctions against russia. there has always been a debate amongst the eu countries about the efficacy of these sanctions, whether they really provide perfect —— pressure, some countries with closer relations to russia have been less convinced about that. but the uk and many other countries have said that this was an important instrument of pressure to bring to bear on russia, and it has to be important to maintain. and all these countries have stood behind that position, despite the internal debates about it. but i think what we will see is that for now, the uk will have to ta ke that for now, the uk will have to take the lead on this with rhetorical backing from the eu side. but whether the uk can convince other countries to expand their sanctions, some countries have those targeting russia, particularly on those accused of human rights abuses, i think more than perhaps... thank you very much. time for a look at the weather with phil avery. it ha

once the uk leaves the eu these powers will be heading to the uk. but where will they go? the welsh and scottish governments claim that westminster might try to grab them. the cabinet office minister david lidington tried to reassure the doubters. the vast majority of power is returning, will start off in edinburgh, cardiff and belfast, and led there be no doubt this will be a very big change to the eu withdrawal bill that is before parliament and a significant step forward in these negotiations. but both the welsh and scottish governments think that's not good enough and responded by introducing continuity bills, in effect making sure those responsibilities go directly to them, not westminster. bad weather cancelled the st david's day debate in the commons. but we thought we'd stage our own. first i asked plaid cymru's westminster leader, liz saville roberts, why she thought westminster would hold on to the powers and not pass them on. why would the government does not allow these powers to go straight to cardiff for edinburgh? if we are equals, with the nations of the uk

in the uk. the minicab service, uber, suspends all tests of self—driving cars after a woman in arizona is killed in a collision. doctors take a major step towards curing macular degeneration, the most common form of blindness in the uk. and, following a suspected drink—driving crash, the itv presenter, ant mcpartlin, goes back into treatment and steps down from his television work. coming up on sports day on bbc news, britain's winter pa ralympian coming up on sports day on bbc news, britain's winter paralympian ‘s have returned home having reached their pregames target of seven medals. good evening. britain and the european union have reached broad agreement on a transition period after brexit. but there are still important issues to be resolved. in today's documents, highlighted in green is what's been agreed. in yellow, what's close to agreement. and in white, the parts still being negotiated. agreed so far is that eu citizens arriving in the uk before december 2020 will have the same r

until the uk leaves the eu. she will say her government is taking action to keep the country "strong and united". but tough negotiations on the future relationship with the eu still lie ahead. the bbc‘s reality check correspondent chris morris has this report. said just one year to go until the united kingdom this 2—part company with the rest of the european union. it is one year since theresa may triggered article 50 of the lisbon treaty the triggering formal start of the brexit process. and in accordance with the wishes the british people, the united kingdom is leading the european union. this is leading the european union. this is an historic moment in which there can be no turning back. well, after a stuttering start, negotiations on the withdrawal agreement have made process “— the withdrawal agreement have made process —— progress. legal text on a financial settlement, the divorce bill. the government says we will pay the eu upto £39 billion to cover things like outstanding bills and pensions.

in south africa and grew up in the uk. uk. what makes somebody belong in south africa? south africa? of people on elsewhere but grew up here. here. have an understanding of what it to be south african. be south african. to the culture, to fashion, to the music. identity is your own. identify as something then you are it. it. and white but we don't include asians, for example. asians, for example. everywhere she goes, how are you african? i am not even chinese actually. actually. understand that we are more alike than we are different. you have got to have a customary selfie. died at the age of 76. and popular culture. for new generations. scientists experimenting together. do it again! don't touch it. of their scientific superhero. how would you describe him? engaging, phenomenal. i've read a brief history of time, i thought it was very interesting. did you read all of it? i did actually read all of it. of lectures about them. so, yeah, it fuelled a lot for me. from the scientists of tomorrow. hawking as a modern—day genius. he's the intellectual follower of einstein

the uk have leads to develop into products that uk consumers develop into products that uk consumers want. the uk currently provides around 30% of the channels available in the eu. equally, many uk companies have pan—european ownership and there are 35 channels and on demand services that are offered in the uk but licensed in the eu. we should explore creative options with an open mind including mutual recognition which could allow for transfrontier broadcasting, recognising the enriching role that british broadcasters and programme makers play, not only in british but more broadly in our common european culture. similarly, on financial services, the chancellor will be setting out next week how financial services can and should be part of a deep and, hence partnership. we're not looking for passporting because we understand this is intrinsic to the single market, of which we would no longer be a member. it would require us to be subject to a single rule book over which we would have no say. the uk has responsibility for the financial stability of the world's significant financial c

like here in the uk? in much more restricted tests on open roads. open roads. be asking itself questions about how this technology should be regulated. this technology should be regulated. thank you very much. at the weekend during high winds and waves. and their properties are in danger of falling into the sea. robbie west reports. following another night of strong winds and stormy seas. people started to leave on friday. as the tide was drawing in, lifeboat crews helped move people out. disappear overnight. i bought it for sea views, beautiful sea views. and now the sea has taken it away. seven at the back door. i felt — it was like an earthquake, and the cliffjust went. most of the house apart. i don't think i'll be here tomorrow. and easterly winds that washed the coast‘s natural defences away. the next morning, the damage could be seen. and are being inspected after each high tide. these properties probably won't be lived in again. then saturday, and what was there, that is actually gone. paul ra

with exactly one year before the uk is due to leave the european union, theresa may is touring the uk, pledging to make brexit a "success for everybody". the prime minister has told the bbc that leaving the eu will mean there's extra money available to spend on the nhs and schools. she said she's confident of securing a deal that is good for all parts of the uk and that there's a bright future ahead. our political correspondent chris mason reports. on days like today, heavy with symbolism, politicians like to indulge in their own grand gestures. so the prime minister's hurtling around the country, championing one you knew, the uk, a year before we leave another, the eu. at breakfast time, ata leave another, the eu. at breakfast time, at a weaver‘s imer, by monday morning, a toddler group in newcastle, and an appointment with oui’ newcastle, and an appointment with our political editor laura kuenssberg. of course when we leave the european union, we are no longer going to be spending vast sums of money year in and year out, sending up money year in and year out, sending up money to

and uk. the possible results that they've obtained are creating new chemical agents which for some reason in the west are classified as novichok has been confirmed and in 200 open sources in nato countries and we have reference to that and stand ready to provide you with them. the identification per se of the toxic substance used in the incident was carried out in a scientific center of the ministry of defense. this is the place which was a basis for the development of the chemical weapons including the chemical weapons of this kind. the most probable source of origin for this chemical, countries which have since the end of the '90s been carrying out intensive research on these kinds of weapons including the uk. we're not chemists here. let me just quote the opinion of a professional chemist. for the british specialist to be perfectly confident in stating that this gas is a novichok kind of gas and not any other kind, they need to have what we call control standard. in order to prove that tha

there is also broad agreement on the rights after brexit of eu citizens here in the uk and uk citizens elsewhere in europe. and crucially, on the terms of a 21—month transition period after brexit when the uk will continue to abide by all eu rules and regulations. the transition will give governments and businesses more time to get ready for a new relationship in the future. but there's still an awful lot to do in the next 12 months. both sides have promised no return to a hard border in ireland. there are intensive talks on how to guarantee that once the uk leaves the single market and the customs union. there is also no full agreement yet on the role of the european court ofjustice after brexit. while elsewhere, spain, for example, is insisting that it must be consulted on the future status of gibraltar. as for a new trade deal between the uk and the eu, talks on that haven't yet begun. the eu says the uk's red lines limit what can be achieved. but the uk still wants the most ambitious free—trade agreement in history. customs is one obvious challenge. the future of fishing, anoth

there is also broad agreement on the rights after brexit of eu citizens here in the uk and uk citizens elsewhere in europe. and crucially, on the terms of a 21—month transition period after brexit when the uk will continue to abide by all eu rules and regulations. the transition will give governments and businesses more time to get ready for a new relationship in the future. but there's still an awful lot to do in the next 12 months. both sides have promised no return to a hard border in ireland. there are intensive talks on how to guarantee that once the uk leaves the single market and the customs union. there is also no full agreement yet on the role of the european court ofjustice after brexit. while elsewhere, spain, for example, is insisting that it must be consulted on the future status of gibraltar. as for a new trade deal between the uk and the eu, talks on that haven't yet begun. the eu says the uk's red lines limit what can be achieved. but the uk still wants the most ambitious free—trade agreement in history. customs is one obvious challenge. the future of fishing anothe

and the uk is not alone. earlier, eu foreign ministers gathered to discuss the attack and issued a joint statement expressing unqualified solidarity with the uk, saying they took its assessment that russia was to blame extremely seriously. what is absolutely clear is that solidarity with the united kingdom and our extreme concern about what has happened, that is really unacceptable. but in moscow, the defiance continued. as president putin began his fourth term of office, his spokesman said the uk must prove russia's role in the poisoning of mr skripal or apologise. as for russia's diplomats in london, well, some of these officials and their families will be heading home tomorrow — 23 in all, with a similar number of british diplomats leaving moscow shortly. tomorrow, the national security council will meet to decide britain's next steps and there is a live debate within government — should they retaliate and escalate, or simply do nothing? should they kick more russian diplomats out of the embassy here o

the military has been called in around the uk to help. but the most severe red weather warnings, meaning there's a threat to life, have now been lifted. yellow warnings remain in place for much of the uk, with snow and ice causing serious problems in scotland and the south—west of england. there's been major disruption to transport, with over 1,200 flights cancelled. rail companies are running reduced services, with many ending services early this evening. south eastern trains has told passengers not to travel at all. heavy snow closed several key routes on the road network overnight at both ends of the uk. danny savage is live in country durham. what is it like there? fiona, it is absolutely freezing and conditions have been causing havoc again across the uk. the worst problems have been on the roads. the automobile association estimates there have been more than 13,000 accidents in the last few days in the snow and icy conditions. you are about to see several of them. for the last 2a hours, the m62 between west yorkshire and mancheste

——gas demand in europe and the uk, so we were fine. we have seen since 2014 and increasing gas demand in the uk and you are absolutely right, as we saw in the video, the increase was linked to the coal to gas switching. so you are getting greener, we are getting greener, but we are getting more reliant on gas and we have less storage. the thing is europe has storage, so perhaps there is... maybe europe is the answer. could be the answer. thank you very much indeed. we reported last night on the strange case of the russian presidential opposition candidate who might not be all she seems, but today there was nothing equivocal about vladamir putin's announcement that he has a new array of invincible nuclear weapons. making his bid for a fourth presidential term, he told russian mps that he had a cruise missile that could reach anywhere in the world. he added that the west needs to take account of a new reality and understand that this is not a bluff. the us state department this evening responded by accusing moscow of violating its obliga

bring that back to the uk and large parts of the uk manufacturing base in particular have a tariff system to third—party countries enabling their industry to remain competitive. clearly if the uk chooses a path of unilaterally reduce its own tariffs, that will be quite difficult for those companies to remain competitive. in the meantime, should i ask you, what is the feeling among your clients and colleagues about the so—called brexit breakthrough agreed yesterday, the transition arrangement? do you feel people are feeling more confident about the near future, feeling more confident about the nearfuture, ie feeling more confident about the near future, ie business feeling more confident about the nearfuture, ie business leaders? actually, i do. there were some decent upsides in the transition agreement, albeit that we will have to wait until probably the third quarter of this year before it is all agreed. there is the overhang of the northern ireland question. from an investor ‘s perspective, a bit more certainty, the reduction of a risk of a cliff edge on march 2019 which is extend

politically, a good dealfor the uk? politically, a good deal for the uk to dealfor the uk? politically, a good dealfor the uk to have got it dealfor the uk? politically, a good deal for the uk to have got it but looking at the content, you see the uk has given a lot of ground and the terms of the transition are basically in most areas the terms set out by the eu. what it tells you is that in this negotiation, actually, the balance of power lies with the eu. simon, thank you very much. we have got our correspondent in brussels updating us throughout the next few days. let's move to washington now where the white house is expected to announce billions of dollars of tariffs on imported chinese goods later today. it would be the latest move by the trump administration to penalise foreign imports after it targeted steel and aluminum with hefty tariffs earlier this month, raising fears of a global trade war. the bbc‘s kim gittleson in washington reports. here is something you will be hearing a lot about in the coming days, section 301, part of the 1974 us trade law that the tru

during that time the uk will be able to negotiate its own trading while you citizens moving to the uk will enjoy the same rights as those who arrived before brexit. but — and it's a big but — there is still no agreement on how to avoid a hard border between northern ireland and the irish republic. and anger that the deal will see the uk effectively remain in the eu's controversial fishing policy until the end of 2020. a concession which led to the former leader of the uk independence party, nigel farage, staging a unusual protest, throwing dead fish into the thames. the mood in fishing communities is one of palpable anger, this is not what they were promised. if they can let us down like this over the deal for a transitional period, how do we know that they will not do it again when it comes to the final deal? i know, as someone whose father was a fish merchant and his grandparents went to sea to finish, i understand how the communities feel about the situation at the moment. i share their disappointment. no way i can sell this deal in the transitional period as a success to fishi

nobody wants to punish the uk. you cannot punish such a big nation, like the uk. you cannot punish the nation of shakespeare and churchill. this is nonsense. but we have also to protect our own interests. we have to protect our financial stability. financial services won't be in the free trade agreement. will you not, in the end, bend those rules for the uk to keep it close? i really think that we have to stick to the rules, and we do not have any intention to change the rules for the uk. french businesses do worry about brexit, of course, but eu giants, france and germany, believe they gain more from protecting the eu for its members than they lose from weaker trade ties post—brexit with the uk. the fear is, if a special deal is done for us when we leave the eu, then remaining club members and outside partners, like the us and japan, will want to fiddle with eu rules as well. turning what seems like a single market paradise into a hellish trade mess. but poland takes a different view. warsaw's bloody history of defending itself against its neighbours means it w

he was granted refuge in the uk in 2010. honourable members will note that the death in 2006 of his son. and while it would be wrong to prejudge the investigation, i can reassure the house that should evidence emerge that implies state responsibility, that her majesty's government will respond appropriately and robustly. britain, he argued, had been at the forefront of imposing tough sanctions on the russian regime. he refused to go into the details of this specific case but. i know members will have their suspicions. and what i will say to the house is that if those suspicions prove to be well—founded, then this government will take whatever measures we deem necessary to protect the lives of the people in this country, our values and our freedoms. and i am not pointing fingers because we cannot, mr speaker, point fingers. i say to governments around the world that no attempt to take innocent life on uk soil will go either unsanctioned or unpunished. the mp who asked the urgent question said there were 14 other deaths whic

european law will still have an effect in the uk. leaving the single market will have an impact on the economy. no take it or leave it approach on the irish border. and making binding commitments to remain in step with the eu in some areas. david davis, can i ask you going to have to use all your renowned skills asa diplomat to sell these hard facts to your fellow brexiteers? i don't think so. the simple fact is, go ask boris, ask the other brexiteers in cabinet if you like. what the centre of this is is parliament will always have a say. today the rules come down through the european parliament, doesn't really have a proper say, this time i'll have a say, and they will exercise that say in the knowledge and the consequent is one way or another. will it give us access or not. that is what every country will do, that's what will deliver the best outcome for britain in the long run. lest any brexit supporter fear that today marks betrayal, the prime minister warned the eu that it, too, needs to hard fa cts . herfundamental vision for b

the uk always put a brake on this. now they have left the eu, perhaps we can move forwards and have this better european integration. but on the other side, perhaps the other countries taking the role of the uk, suddenly we notice that the dutch become hesitant of being an engine. in the past, they were an engine for european integration. but now they put the brake on integration. that could be a threat to. thank you for talking to us. a quick, brief thought. first of all, the message here seems to be that they are preparing for the worse and hoping for the best when it comes to brexit. i have this comeback from greece and italy. really interesting. mps are talking about saying they are not sure whether brexit will actually happen, still. here in northern europe, that is not the message. they are starting to prepare for it and they are anxious about it. gavin lee, globetrotting. thank you very much. in a moment, we have the business use. first, a look at the headlines. with exactly one year to go until britain leads th

up to uk standards. are these five elements all going to be part of our attempt to make sure our system is clean so we dissuade corrupt money from coming toened london and we can legally target krem len cache as well. those five elements. >> well, first of all on magnitsky and you know why was there some delay and some discussion about how to proceed? you know, i think to be fair to the government which is obviously my job. >> somewhat. >> always, always. the -- if you look at the text actually what it says is that we shall be able to -- to hold to account anybody responsible for human rights abuses in russia or indeed in any other country. and. >> let me see, who will determine that? who will determine what the human rights abuses are. >> that will be a matter obviously for -- for our law enforcement agencies to determine. but -- but my point to mr. sealy is -- is that a human rights abuse is a stronger formulation than gross human rights abuse which is what the magnitsky terminology demanded. but i thi

, those difficult political issues for the uk to confront. and that issue has been put to one side because the stage in the withdrawal text will be drawn up over the next few months, so a crunch is still coming. experian much. i am going to westminster. the reaction today and where you see the fault lines potentially in what we have had? a number of fault lines had been seized on by reading brexit supporters, fisheries policies after we leave the eu. unhappiness that basically freedom of movement continues during the transition period. but above all, there is real concern over the issue surrounding the northern ireland border. basically, i think the view is that they believe theyjust have to trust theresa may, in the sense that were she to agree in the final deal to this backstop option, it would be pretty close to political suicide, i would suggest. she has already said it is unacceptable for any british prime minister to sign up to the sort of package, the all—ireland package, which would draw a border between northern ireland and the uni

contrasting temperatures again north and south across the uk. over the weekend, we all get into the same boat. high pressure blocking things off across scandinavia and around it we pick up an easterly wind. there will be a significant windchill as well, especially across england and wales, where we'll have the strongest of the wind. perhaps not too many snow showers, actually, on saturday. there could be some on friday night, but most places will be dry on saturday. you will notice, however, the temperatures significantly lower. remember 12 or 13, perhaps, across the south on friday. four or five at best, and further north one or two celsius. that area of high pressure still around the northern part of the uk on saturday. stronger winds to the south. we could get as spell of snow overnight and especially near channel, the southernmost counties of england. that pulls through and then we'll probably find a few more snow showers, again more likely across england and wales. most of scotland and northern ireland will be dry and it is not quite as win

uk citizens living in the eu. the uk will be able to negotiate trade deals during the transition period. but not yet agreed is the issue of the border with northern ireland. our europe editor katya adler has more. in the quest to resolve relations after brexit today was a big moment between the eu and uk. an historic handshake to seal a deal, not the final brexit deal but the long—awaited agreement on transition to ease the uk from leaving the eu to life on the outside. the eu and uk's chief brexit negotiators were visibly relieved, they had been under pressure from business. businesses need not delay investment decisions or rush through plans based on guesses about the future, instead they now have certainty about the terms that will apply after withdrawal. certainty, not quite. an oft repeated phrase at ago she nations is... nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. the transition deal is part of the uk's complex moved to all withdrawal agreements from the eu. areas highlighted in green indicate where agre

but she's not expected to change her position on removing the uk from the customs union. bill hayton reports. a shrug of hands and whimsical glance, the body language of the european council president after meeting theresa may on thursday wasn't exactly enthusiastic. donald tusk told her he wasn't happy with the british government's red lines, the refusals to be part of the eu's single market and customs union. in her speech later on friday she will outline five tests that any agreement must pass. it must ensure that britain remains a tolerant, european democracy and it must strengthen the unity of the united kingdom. but some brexit supporters say mrs may needs to go further. we need to say, right, this is what we're after, we are reasonable people, we are prepared to compromise, but unless you're prepared to stop treating us like a hostage, treat us with some respect, then we will say that no deal is better than a bad deal and walk away. however, one veteran conservative politician, an opponent of brexit, says that there is far too much to sort out in such a short time.

but they think the uk will lose most of all. a bit like animal farm, everybody is a loser, but some lose more than others. they think that's very much the uk. but i do have to point out, they are realists. so this sort of conspiracy idea that the eu is plotting to have another referendum is not something that you come across. you know, they say, you know, emmanuel macron, "any chance you might change your mind? the door is open." and no, we won't sing abba right now. but they really believe it is happening and is continuing. and as we go now into this next stage of negotiations, you have both sides looking for a fair brexit. we should have a card for that, that is the new one, "fair brexit" or "pragmatic brexit". but, of course, each side, and very much the eu, will look after their own interest first. and what is your perspective when you talk to your mates about what they say about that sense of not having had a say in this huge decision that was taken that will have ramifications for a long time, and you guys didn't get a say

they currently benefit from access to it uk. they currently access 100,000 tonnes of fish in eu waters, and the eu access 700000 tonnes of fish. they would say that, wouldn't they quiz map that is not a position uk shares. george eustice. you're watching thursday in parliament, with me, alicia mccarthy. earlier this week, mps voted to bring northern ireland in line with the rest of the uk by requiring political parties there to reveal who funds them. it means that all donations of more than £7,500 made afterjuly last year will have to be made public. but the decision not to backdate the publication of donations means details of those made during the eu referendum campaign will not be listed. that includes a controversial donation of more than £a00,000 to the dup from a group of pro—union business people called the constitutional research council. that angered a labour former cabinet minister. following the disgraceful decision by the government yesterday to keep secret the source of the £105,000 donation to the leave campai

and the uk is not alone. earlier, eu foreign ministers gathered to discuss the attack and issued a joint statement expressing unqualified solidarity with the uk, saying they took its assessment that russia was to blame extremely seriously. what is absolutely clear is that solidarity with the united kingdom and our extreme concern about what has happened, that is really unacceptable. but in moscow, the defiance continued. as president putin began his fourth term of office, his spokesman said the uk must prove russia's role in the poisoning of mr skripal or apologise. as for russia's diplomats in london, well, some of these officials and their families will be heading home tomorrow — 23 in all, with a similar number of british diplomats leaving moscow shortly. tomorrow, the national security council will meet to decide britain's next steps and there is a live debate within government — should they retaliate and escalate, or simply do nothing? should they kick more russian diplomats out of the embassy here o

the uk hopes an ambitious eu and uk trade deal will solve the problem. bu; 9.453? ig5§5274£5£%3¢5;é 7,7 ~ in the customs union and parts of the single market. ireland's deputy prime minister was in brussels today to press his case. what ireland has always asked for was that we would essentially have an insurance mechanism, so that i and others can say to people in northern ireland and in ireland, that, "look, we are not to have any border infrastructure on this island again." so, a lot done, but more to do for the eu's brexit chief. good news today? as you see, spring has sprung with the thaw spreading even to these often frosty brexit negotiations. progress on transition today was hailed in there as a big step forward, but it's not all good news for the government. it's clear now, there won't be a final trade deal between the eu and the uk at the end of these brexit talks. the transition will be used to hammer out more details. and to get this far, the uk has had to make some pretty big concessions. like fishing. far from taking back control after brexit as p

and we are there in estonia, 800 uk troops near there in estonia, 800 uk troops near the border with russia, helping to give security and a sense of confidence there in the baltics. we are strongly protective and defensive of what is happening in the western balkans. as the prime minister has said, the uk remains unconditionally committed, irrespective of our relationship with the european union, to european security. would you consider hitting the russians when it hurts, for example with money? we live under the rule of low in this country. not up the rule of low in this country. not up to politicians to go after that person take their wealth away. that is how he tenderly behaves. that is a sort of thing you expect to see in russia. it's up to the national crime agency to identify people whose wealth may have been acquired through gross corruption, theft from the russian state agency, that could be taken away with unexplained wealth orders. the statute as they in our new lows we have in force. work is going on on that now. but i will stress one thing. i don't want to see a big outbr

can the uk still rely on its european allies in a moment of crisis? yes. i'm absolutely convinced that britain can rely on europe. even though the british have decided to leave the eu as an institution, britain is still a part of europe. because so far britain has been disappointed by its traditional allies, in that in the brexit negotiations, denmark, the netherlands, ireland, in the negotiations have chosen, if you like, the eu over ally uk. well, i wouldn't put it that way. even though i love britain, i mean, i have to be aware of what the danish interest is in this case. i have to protect my business environment in the same way that theresa may has to protect the british business community. and you believe that changing rules for the uk would damage the single market? that could be the case. it could be, you know, followed by other countries wanting to go down the same way, if we allow this kind of cherry picking. but denmark is keen on some cherry picking of its own. it's one of the world's biggest exporters of fish but danish fishermen rely heavily o

once the uk leaves the eu these powers will be heading to the uk. but where will they go? the welsh and scottish governments claim that westminster might try to grab them. the cabinet office minister david lidington tried to reassure the doubters. the vast majority of powers returning from brussels will start off in edinburgh, cardiff and belfast are not in whitehall. let me be in no doubt that this would mean a very big change to the eu (withdrawal) bill that is before parliament and a significant step forward in these negotiations. isi is i asked liz saddle roberts why she thought westminster would hold onto the powers are not pass them on. i could turn the question back. why would the public not allow these powers to go straight to cardiff for edinburgh? if we are equals as nations in the uk, we should build to discuss that within parliament and come to an agreement together according to our proper needs and not expecting these to be held back in london before they get passed on to us. iam i am delighted to say i am joined in the studio now by stephen doughty and by con

the uk had expelled 23 russians. and the news on russian tv — britain has been russia's enemy for centuries. the message to viewers — the uk cannot be trusted. russia's foreign minister, sergei lavrov, claimed britain was using the poisoning of sergei skripal to distract attention from brexit. then, pictures from the kremlin. the president meeting his security chiefs to discuss uk sanctions. moscow's response expected soon. russia may be coming under increasing international pressure, but the language coming out of the kremlin is increasingly defiant. vladimir putin's spokesman today described britain's stance as ‘destructive and provocative‘. the president, he said, would take the final decision on how russia responds. and just when you think relations can‘t get any worse, the defence secretary tells russia to ‘shut up‘. the reaction in moscow? it‘s not only a mistake, it‘s worse than a mistake because it‘s stupid. or it‘s done on purpose, it‘s a provocation, they want the russians to be prov

scotland, and here it is this evening moving across the uk. these are south—westerly winds so it will be mild across the country with temperatures hovering around 5—7d. it is drying out across the south—west and wales where is still in northern ireland and scotland it is raining. friday itself will be a north—south split so across the north—south split so across the north of the country we have the rain, quite breezy weather as well, to the south drier weather. not drive all the because we time by the time we get to the middle of the afternoon we have this rain over cornwall. friday evening, if you are out on friday evening in the south expect some rain pushing into central southern england as well. beyond that, the weekend is looking mixed. some will get rain, sunshine, a mixture of the two. on saturday in the morning and maybe through lunchtime there will be cloud and rain across southern areas. some lovely weather around the lake district but showers expected on saturday across scotland and northern ireland. sunday is looking mixe

montclair ransoms uk side so far? definitely. montclair ra nsoms of uk side so far? definitely. montclair ransoms of objectives and what they are prepared to do. this is the one thing we can see from now on, if we want to change perceptions of power, one of the best ways to do that and drive negotiations is to propose solutions, and i think that is what we need to do now. rather than react to their positions and what they talk about, we can be much clearer in our side and changes necessary. how much of this is the prime minister having to bear in mind that, to an extent, she is also having to negotiate with their own party as she stands up and delivers a speech such as today is? that has been the reality so far, and i think she has been fairly hamstrung in many ways though far. down to this lack of unity. you can take a balance within the cabinet and governments, and all the other political parties, business and those interests, every side has its own requirements. she has political pressures on her as well as negotiating pressures. whereas the eu been able to present a much mor

the uk will still be bound by eu fishing rules until then, though the uk will be consulted. and britain will stand by a backstock agreement from last december on northern ireland if no overall deal is reached. downing street points out that there are wins: the uk will be free to negotiate and sign trade deals around the world during the transition. a special committee will make sure that both sides act in good faith during that period, and theresa may can say that the uk will gain full control of its borders, money and courts at the end of 2020. translation: we're able, this morning, to agree, and after all those days and nights of hard work, on a large part of what will make up an international agreement for the ordered withdrawal of the united kingdom. and there is a lot of work still to be done on important subjects, including ireland and northern ireland. our teams have worked hard and at pace to secure the terms of a time limited implementation period that gives the certainty demanded by businesses and citizens across the european union and united kingdom. but the 13—

the police here in the uk not giving many details, at an extraordinary set of circumstances. what is your reaction? this is chilling news. 0bviously, russia has violated international norms across the board over the last several years, both in ukraine and georgia and also in terms of its act of measures, and its toolkit has included, among other things, as fascinations. for example, the president in the ukraine has talked about political terrorism against a former member who was assassinated in broad daylight on the streets. we have seen russia undertake these actions before. we don't do exactly what happened in this case, we don't even know for sure if it was a poisoning. the message is certainly chilling in terms of the implications, the possible implications. people touring inevitably parallels with another case here. is that fair? again, it is early, they will have to bea again, it is early, they will have to be a thorough and much more aggressive investigation this time then there was with listening to, as you recall, the public enquiry took about a decade until it final

he is in the uk and just did a multi—city tourin the uk and just did a multi—city tour in the us. he is pushing the brand of saudi arabia, the plant to reform saudi arabia. —— plan. he is ona reform saudi arabia. —— plan. he is on a mission. everyone who spoke to him in the uk talked about how strong he was, is presence, this sta nce strong he was, is presence, this stance about him. he and trump are pally. he says i will be the ruler, iand pally. he says i will be the ruler, i and the crown prince. 32. quite rightly, he is saying we have a country which is not developed sitting on a lot of oil which may not be valuable in the future, we have to develop now. that's why aramco is floated on exchanges with the uk wanting it bad. he wants to develop a nation and have a supercity and all that, and trump is paying attention. we have to bear in mind that this paper is saudi owned. they are not fans of iran at all, remember. with a new secretary of state in the us who is against iran, this relationship for the two of them, i would this relationship for the two of them, iwould ima

they employ over 2 million people across the uk, not just employ over 2 million people across the uk, notjust in london, and we have a trade surplus with the eu with about £20 billion a year so, for us, it is a very important part of the brexit negotiation. philip hammond this afternoon is likely to say that any free—trade deal should include a good deal on financial services, maintaining access between the eu and britain. so far, the european commission has been pretty negative on this idea. michel barnier, the chief brexit negotiator for the commission, has said there has never been a free—trade deal including financial services done by the eu with a third country, which is what we will be. butternut donald tusk press conference we have just seen tusk press conference we have just seen that norman was talking about, he did say that a free—trade deal would look at all areas, including services. so there could be a slight opening for a negotiation. this is a negotiation. philip hammond will set out one stall, close alignment, the european union are going to say that that will b