Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News 20171202

But Kaspersky Lab says its product pose no Security Risk and dismisses claims of links to the kremlin. And australia beat england in a close match in brisbane to lift the Rugby League World cup for the eleventh time. And in an exclusive interview with the bbc, the formula formula 1 World Champion nico rosberg tells us about his plans for the future. Good evening and welcome to bbc news. President trump has said the actions of his former National Security adviser, Michael Flynn, during the president ial transition period were lawful but he had to sack him because he had lied to the Vice President and the fbi. Mr flynn has entered into a plea deal and agreed to co operate with an inquiry into alleged collusion between mr trumps team and russian officials. Meanwhile, the us senate has passed sweeping tax cuts, clearing the way for the first big legislative achievement of Donald Trumps presidency. From washington, laura bicker reports. Finally donald trump is on course for a much needed win. It looks like he will claim a victory on tax reform. We passed the largest tax cuts in this countrys history along with many other things. The vote was close. The arm twisting continued until dawn. There were so many last minute changes to the bill that senators had to scribble them in the margins. Democrats say the package will benefit big business and the wealthy. Republicans believe it will slash Corporation Tax help the middle classes. For republicans and the president , it was a welcome distraction from the other washington drama. Donald trumps former security adviser Michael Flynn pleading guilty to lying about the fbi about his meetings with russians. The former three star general played a key part in mr Trumps Campaign and led this chant about Hillary Clinton which will live in infamy. If i did a tenth of what she did, i would be injail today. In court, mr flynn apologised about lying with his meetings with russians but more to contact russia by officials. One of those is thought to be Donald Trumps son in law jared kushner. But the president remains defiant. What has been shown is no collusion. No collusion. Absolutely no collusion. So we are very happy. President trump tweeted that he fired general flynn because of his lies and said it was a shame because his actions were not unlawful and had nothing to hide. This should have been a momentous day for mr trump. The republicans finally united behind tax reform but the spectre of the Russian Investigation continues to loom over the white house. And laura has been explaining why the president s latest tweet has prompted another outcry. Has he landed himself in hot water . If President Trump knew he lied to the fbi, why did he go to the fbi director and ask him to drop the investigation to let it go . There is a worry that this tweet might have landed the president in serious hot water with regards to legal issues but when it comes to the actual premise of the tweet, what he is trying to say, he fired Michael Flynn for the same lies that he appeared in court for and said that Michael Flynns actions during the transition, talking to russians, were lawful, which they were. The unlawful act was lying to the fbi. The other question is why did Michael Flynn see the need to lie to the fbi and where else did he feel the need to take those lies . Did he tell the president about those meetings with the russians . We do not yet know. The one person who may know is Robert Mueller who is in charge of this investigation. He is collating all the evidence and slowly and methodically working through it. Doctor larry sabato is director of the centre for politics at the university of virginia. Hejoins me now via webcam from charlottesville. Thanks forjoining us. Can restart with the tax bill, tax cuts. Trump is not the side are saying they are. What is your view, will people benefit or is itjust for Bigger Companies and republican supporters . The biggest beneficiaries actually donald trump and the Republican Party generally. They finally have a victory, they won everything in november 20 16th and this is actually the first piece of total legislation they have been able to get done. Its not quite down but essentially done. However, once people have a chance to analyse whats in it, i suspect that a lot of the middle class and lower middle class blue collar support that backed donald trump would be terribly happy because the vast majority of benefits go to the wealthy, corporations and the republican donal class. The big this about the big tax cuts, its always said that if you get the tax rates right, if you cut them back, the tax reve nu es right, if you cut them back, the tax revenues rise. Is that a good argument . Its a great argument. It just shows its never happened. Its the trickle down theory that some how if you enrich the 1 , they will create a slew of newjobs and raise wages and do good things and itjust doesnt happen that often. Do you think the people who have been froms firm supporters, do you think they really will say to themselves and not so sure about this . Will it just be seen as a ringing victory, his first as you say that a ringing victory for donald trump . In the short term it is a plus. Gradually, people do figure out whether their are going up or down. And they also managed to see news reports revealing the special interest provisions that were thrown into this law at the last moment, in handwriting. Illegible handwriting. The people voting on it in the senate in both parties didnt even know what they were voting for. They havent had a chance to read the 500 page bill and they had not been able to decipher all the amendments and over from to decipher all the amendments and overfrom our to decipher all the amendments and over from our lobbyists centre in washington, dc. It was quite a spectacle. Could it still be an picked or is this going into law would all these modifications translated and becoming firm . |j think translated and becoming firm . think theyve run out of time. They had too many other priorities pending, and we have a potential shutdown of the federal government coming within days unless Congress Works together very quickly to extend appropriation. They dont have time. They will take what they pass, they will try to melt it together in a way that can run through both houses very quickly and get this done so the president can have a big signing ceremony before christmas. The responses will be different once people get over it i think, come the new year. What about Michael Flynns situation . What sort of damage will this do to the president in your view or is managing which with tweeting somehow getting himself passed this . He did not get himself passed this. His lawyers have been asking, some begging for months, for the president not to delete or comment about the situation. Because not to tweet or comment. Because every time he does, he opened up potential new avenues for investigations as hes just done by tweeting about general flynn again. I dont know what the special council house, no one does. He runs a leak proof office and thats the way it should be. One thing is for sure, office and thats the way it should be. One thing is forsure, he office and thats the way it should be. One thing is for sure, he did not give this tremendous deal to general flynn because he was feeling charitable in the holiday period. He gaveit charitable in the holiday period. He gave it to him because flynn has information on higher ups who will be helpful to the special counsel. And therefore very damaging to the present in the end . One would think. Thanks forjoining us. Thank you. And well find out how this story and many others are covered in sunday mornings front pages. At 10 30pm and 11 30pm this evening in the papers our guests joining me tonight are the economics commentator author, Dharshini David and the us broadcaster and commentator, charlie wolf. Criticism is growing of two former Police Officers who leaked allegations that legal pornographic images had been found on a work computer used in the office of the cabinet minister, damian green. The former chief constable of Greater Manchester, sir peter fahy, strongly rejected suggestions it was in the Public Interest to disclose information allegedly found during the course of an unrelated investigation in 2008. Sir peter said in his view the officers were entering dangerous territory. Heres our political correspondent, alex forsyth. Nine years ago, a Police Operation that had unforeseen consequences. This raid was part of an inquiry into government leaks. No one was charged but computers were seized and examined. 0n the work computer of damian green was allegedly legal pornography which he has repeatedly said was not down to him. The claims were first made public by former met assistant commissioner, bob quick, who feared they would be covered up. Yesterday, this is retired met detective also spoke out, saying he had no doubt that mr green viewed the material. It was ridiculous to suggest anyone else could have done it. He examined the computer and thought it in the Public Interest to reveal what he found. The computer was in mr greens office, on his desk, logged into his account and his name. Today, the former chief constable of Greater Manchester Police Condemned the actions of the pair. Most Police Officers would be very uncomfortable about the police being involved injudging whether a politician is lying or not, that is a matter for the courts or breaching this duty of keeping matters confidential, which are gathered in an investigation unless they end up as evidence. I did not download or look at pornography. Damian green has always denied the claims. His conduct is subject to a Cabinet Office investigation. The outcome is crucial. He is a close ally of theresa may. How she deals this will be closely watched. Questions now, notjust over his politicalfuture, but the handling of this whole affair. This evening, her majestys chief inspector of constabulary, sir thomas winsor, responded to the controversy, with a statement about the police duty of confidentiality. He said. I spoke to alex forsyth earlier to get more details. What might happen next . He is essentially saying that they should have kept the evidence because that is essential to public trust. Is it doesnt mean there will be repercussions but they is a significant figure in policing so people will look at his words and make their own judgment. The second aspect is damian green and his conduct. There is that ongoing enquiry which is happening for the past few weeks and theresa may could receive the final report about that ina receive the final report about that in a matter of days. Then the question will be what course of action to take. She will not want to lose damian green, a long time friend and ally from the cabinet table, with the faction will be doing some way assert her authority, ta ke doing some way assert her authority, take a strong line, all of this will be informed by the findings of an enquiry that there will be judgment. While damian green is at the centre of this, theresa mays actions will be under scrutiny as well. One prominent cabinet ministers say green must go, there are other views, this goes to the heart problems in the cabinet. She has lost other cabinet recently forget michael fallon, priti patel, all fairly recently. She has had to change her team which you might not have wa nted change her team which you might not have wanted to do at this particular moment. There has been lots of discussion about the stability of the cabinet and the nudity. Theresa through revista sophie unity. There will be difficult decisions coming up and essentially all this to come to a head in the next few days. The headlines on bbc news. President trump describes the actions of his former National Security advisor as lawful, but says he had to be sacked for lying. Theres growing criticism of two former Police Officers who claimed pornographic images had been found on a work computer of the cabinet minister, damian green. Barclays bank says it will no longer offer a russian Anti Virus Software programme free to customers after warnings it could be exploited by the kremlin. And today collect that the sports news, its been a busy day. Thats a good evening to jessica, news, its been a busy day. Thats a good evening tojessica, hello. What a match at the emirates. Manchester united beat arsenal to narrow the gap on leaders Manchester City who play tomorrow. United won 3 1, finished the match with ten men but have david de gea to thank for the win. Tim hague reports under the lights at the emirates. Arsenal versus Manchester United as iconic fixture as it gets in the premier league. But this game is about more than history and renewed rivalry. United tried to stay in the title range, arsenal tried to continue their recent run but this seemed unlikely after three minutes, a misplaced pass time its way to Antonio Valencia them back to valencia and into the net. They ended a great one. Another arsenal possession punished. Lingard with the goal and Anthony Martial with the goal and Anthony Martial with the assist. It was befitting of the first half which was open, exerting an end to end. The host somehow not getting back into things on more than one occasion. And there were numerous david de gea says. You had to us also for the second a5, it couldnt compete with the first . But alexandre lacazette, onside, he came on to. There was one big problem for arsenal, david de gea, pulling off something truly special here. A double save as good as any to keep his side ahead. Just as united were on the brink, they pulled away again. Classic counter attack and another lingard goal. All they had to do was hold on now. Paul pogba did not help the cause, a straight red, it will he will manchester derby. An Iconic Premier League fixture and an Iconic Premier League fixture and an Iconic Premier League game. Amazing attitude from them. Part of the quality from they showed, quality in many things. They showed amazing character in the difficult moments of the game. You can give us difficult moment for arsenal give us difficult moment for arsenal give us difficult moments. They had attacking quality and then we have also the difficult moment of playing with ten men for quite a long time. So amazing character by the players, i think they deserve your words, and my words when i met them in the dressing room. Here are the rest of the results. Celtic have now gone 67 domestic unbeaten after 0dsonne edwar scored a hat trick to help them beat motherwell 5 1 at celtic park. Celtics lead at the top of the scottish premiership is now seven points. Elsewhere there were away wins for hibernian, dundee and kilmarnock. Hearts drew 1 1 with hamilton. Much earlier this morning, Englands Rugby League side suffered an agonising 6 0 defeat to australia in the final of the world cup. The hosts scored the only try of the game in the first half through boyd cordner and despite a valiant effort england couldnt find a reply. England players clearly devastated by the result as australia were crowned champions for the 11th time. Frustration. Failed to execute on a couple of occasions, had a couple of chances and didnt get them. What weve got is a massive team effort. A real good cohesive unit. How does the side move on from here . Is then a fantastic two years from my point of view working with Wayne Bennett and this group of men. Is a fantastic core of outstanding players. In the british game. We now have to build on that, keep them together, put on and realise that its no good being close if youre not willing to take the next step forward. Its advantage australia at the end of day one of the second ashes test in adelaide. Joe root won the toss and surprisingly put australia in to bat but englands bowlers failed to make the impact he hoped for in the first ever day night ashes test. England were gifted with an early breakthrough after confusion between the australian openers saw cameron bankcroft run out by chris woakes. England then got the wicket of dangerman david warner, three runs short of his half century. A 50 from Usman Khawaja settled down the hosts, but under the floodlights, James Anderson sent him back to the pavilion. Where he was joined by captain steve smith. Craig 0verton getting a huge wicket for england on his test debut. Australia will start day two on 209 for four. We are happy. Without that we bowled well all day, we didnt get the rewards but thats a shame. We cup we will come back tomorrow with a new ball and get a couple of early ones and hopefully be on top. To rugby union and there was a nailbiter in wales final test of the year. They almost threw it away against south africa in cardiff, but ended their autumn series with a narrow win. Two tries by Hadleigh Parkes on his debut helpes wales lead 21 3 after 30 minutes. Warrick ga lants try before half time changed the momentum warrick galants try before half time changed the momentum and Handre Pollard and jesse kreels touchdowns after the break edged the springboks ahead by a point but Leigh Halfpennys 66th minute penalty clinched a nervy 211 22 win for wales, just their fourth over south africa. Theres been a major shock at the uk championship snooker in york. Where World Champion and top seed mark selby has been knocked out by world number 66 scott donaldson. Donaldson, who came into the tournament on a 10 match losing streak, made breaks of 90, 87 and 77 to go 5 3 up. The scot then kept his composure in the ninth frame with a break of 84 to advance to the third round. Thats all the sport for now. Well have more for you on bbc news throughout the evening. Thank you, jessica. Barclays bank says it will no longer offer a russian Anti Virus Software programme free to customers. It comes after officials recommended that Government Departments stop using Kaspersky Lab products because of fears it could be exploited by the kremlin. The National Cyber Security Centre says the advice doesnt apply to domestic users. Kaspersky lab denies any links to the russian government. Jon donnison reports. This Cyber Security Software Like that provided by Kaspersky Lab requires Cyber Security Software Like that provided by Kaspersky Lab requires extensive access to the files on a computer phone or network to look for viruses. Our mission has always been to protect. Kaspersky is used by consumers and businesses as well as some parts of government to protect systems from criminals and hackers. But now a new warning about russian Anti Virus Software, amid fears it could be used for spying. Secrets of global significance. At britains National Cyber Security Centre, they say theyve not seen actual proof of such espionage, but theyve told Government Departments not to use kaspersky for systems containing sensitive data. This is specifically about entities that may be of interest to the russian government and so for us thats about National Security systems in government, of which there are a very small number. Kaspersky lab has already denied allegations that its been used for espionage in america. We dont do anything wrong. They are just speculating about some rumours, opinions, and there is zero of the hard data. 400 Million People use kaspersky products around the world, but Officials Say theyre not telling the general public to stop using it. Kaspersky lab denies any wrongdoing, but todays warning is another sign about growing fears over the risk posed by russia. Up to 10,000 driving tests could be cancelled because of a two day strike by examiners. Members of the public and commercial Services Union will walk out for 48 hours on monday, the same day a new test is launched. A last minute intervention by the transport secretary, Chris Grayling failed to resolve the dispute, which is over changes to examiners contracts. A 14 year old boy who died after a collision with a car on the m67 motorway in Greater Manchester has been named as samuel berkley. Is he was found unconscious yesterday afternoon on the hard shoulder nearjunction three of the motorway in hyde. The teenager was in a Critical Condition and died later in hospital. Samuel attended Audenshaw School and in a statement posted the headteacher said. His family said. The former president of yemen, ali abdullah saleh, has suggested that hes willing to talk to the Saudi Led Coalition that his forces have been fighting for more than two years. The conflict in yemen has killed more than 10,000 people, displaced over two million and triggered a cholera epidemic. On one side is president hadi whose forces control the land in red. Hes backed by saudi arabia and other mostly sunni arab states. 0pposing them are shia Houthi Rebels who have taken the land in blue. They are backed by iran and have built an alliance. With the former president abdullah saleh. That alliance now appears to breaking down with mr salehs forces now fighting the houthis in the capital sanaa. Caroline anning is a senior conflict humanitarian advocacy advisor with save the children and told us about conditions in sanaa. Its been a very difficult night, very high tech leave heavy fighting. It has been going on but escalated last night. At 3am we made the decision to move to the basement of the building, we are lucky to have a secure space to move to. Other people are not so lucky across the city. There have been heavy rpg fire, explosions, gunshots still being heard now i can hearfrom outside here. Its a real worry for children and families in the city who dont have a safe space to go to. And also who cant get out to get food, water, medical care. Particularly this is coming on top ofa particularly this is coming on top of a situation where yemen has been pushed by conflicts, its the worlds biggest humanitarian crisis. Many dont know whether next meal is coming from. A bank we worked with have cash transfers to vulnerable families, it is in the night. Its a really worrying situation. It is inflamed tonight. Thousands have attended a concert in barcelona in support ofjailed Catalonian Independence leaders. The Spanish Supreme Court is due to decide on monday whether the ten jailed catalan separatists will be granted bail, to campaign in upcoming regional elections. The eight former ministers and two other activists were arrested on suspicion of sedition and rebellion over the campaign for independence by the catalan government. The youngest patient on the uk transplant waiting list has received a new heart. Eight week old Charlie Douthwaite is said to be making Good Progress after undergoing a nine hour operation at newcastles Freeman Hospital. A europe wide appeal for a donor had been launched, after doctors feared he had just weeks to live. Bbc look norths Sharon Barbour has the story. A mothers kiss on her baby she feared was going to die. Eight week old charlie has been saved after a successful heart transplant operation by surgeons at the Freeman Hospital in newcastle. Born with half a heart, at five weeks old, he had come through 11 operations including open heart surgery. Charlie was the smallest baby in the uk and all of europe, waiting for a heart transplant. 0n the fourth day he had cardiac arrest. It took them 30 minutes to bring him back. As each day passed, charlies condition deteriorated. Time was running out, charlie had become critically ill and his lung collapsed. His mum said he had just weeks to live unless a heart became available. Then the call came that a heart had become available and it was a perfect match. Then they went off to look at the condition of the heart and it was a long wait. It didnt feel real until they came back and said he is going down in an hour. Thats when it felt like it was happening. He was extremely lucky considering his condition and size to get a heart suitable on time. After a nine hour operation, charlie had a new heart. I couldnt believe he was awake after having a heart transplant. His skin colour was amazing. I cant describe it. For him to be so pink and peachy and perfect,