Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News 20180204

Looks at what can be done better to protect cats from being shot with air guns. Good morning and welcome to bbc news. A group of mps is warning that cuts to the Royal Marines would rip the heart out of one of britains elite fighting forces. The government has reportedly been considering axing around two thousand marines and getting rid of two of the warships they use to launch beach landings. The Defence Select Committee says the cuts would be militarily illiterate. Daniella relph reports. The training, known for being tough and arduous. 6500 Royal Marines go through it to make them amongst britains at elite fighting forces. Known for their versatility and their ability to respond quickly to situations around the world. The Royal Marines also provide up to half the personnel for the uk special forces. The Defence Select Committee report warns that further cuts to the marines would damage their ability to be a High Readiness unit, quickly deployable, often in difficult circumstances. It also criticises plans to end the use of hms albion as a ship from which beach assaults are made. If there are new and intensified threats you would think wed be adding to our capabilities, not deleting one of our world beating star capabilities. The committee praises the defence secretary, gavin williamson, for taking control of the defence review but again warned that he wont be able to prevent harsh cuts without extra funding from the treasury. The ministry of defence says that protecting the uk is its priority and stress that the Royal Marines play a vital role in defending the play a vital role in defending the country. Daniella relph, bbc news. Dr Peter Roberts is director of military services at the Royal United Services institute, and a former Commanding Officer in the royal navy. Thank you forjoining us. Do you think the government are considering cuts to the marines . We are not quite sure what the government is doing. We have been subject to a rolling defence review for the past six months. It looks like the new secretary of state will continue for another six months. I think we will have a degree of uncertainty for quite some time. There is no doubt there will be significant cuts to there will be significant cuts to the british military. The uk will be a less safe place as a result of the latest review, unless we find a new way to do business and get over the hurdle we are currently finding ourselves in. What is your view, if the marines were to be cuts, both in terms of manpower and their ships, what would you think, with that said the government s much . With that said that much money . the government s much . With that said that much money . I think it might meet some of the shortfalls to buy some of the nice new equipment we are getting, but the problem is that we will be less safe because of it as that we will be less safe because of itasa that we will be less safe because of it as a nation. There are a variety of changes we have to face. The new changes inside, space, Ballistic Missile defence, when we have revels in yemen who are fighting Ballistic Missiles into saudi arabia, shooting ships at sea and destroying them. The world is not the nice the same place it has been for the past 25 years. Same place it has been for the past 25 yea rs. We same place it has been for the past 25 years. We have to say we need to look at what our security requires. Do we need to be global, out looking, can we just shrink back to a homeland and strive to protect ourselves . Or do we try to deter people from taking more offences sta nces people from taking more offences stances against us . Some people will say it sounds great but we cant afford everything. We have to pay foran nhs afford everything. We have to pay for an nhs that some people say is in crisis. Also it of demands for government expenditure. Its nice to have an elite fighting force like the Royal Marines, but maybe something has got to give. That is certainly right, something will have to give. The british people and government had prepared to give us as safe as we have been for the last 25 years, or perhaps 100 years. Will the slaying of the Royal Marines and oui the slaying of the Royal Marines and our previous capability save enough . I think that slightly dubious. What was put forward as part of these cuts was not simply deleting and making redundant one third of Royal Marines and deleting the amphibious capability of ships that were defined to land on shore. But we also looked at removing entire fleet of helicopters, deleting our crafts, getting rid of large numbers of the army. We are talking about weakening the uk in our deterrence as a whole. This is an somatic of the deep problems that lie in the funding of defence, that has existed for the last 25 years. How important are the Royal Marines . A conflict like the falklands, you can see how useful they would be, but if you think about a threat from north korea, for example, are they that relevance . About a threat from north korea, for example, are they that relevance . |j think this is what people sort of mistakes, they think the world is full of Cyber Attacks and huge places. But discrete resources like the Royal Marines, with the ability to self deploy they dont need hundreds of aircraft. They self deploy on the ships they have got and threaten an enemy anywhere up and threaten an enemy anywhere up and down his coast. You dont need and down his coast. You dont need an airport to put them into or somewhere was to, for helicopters to ta ke somewhere was to, for helicopters to take them. They have a global reach. The reality is that africa was my forces are in use throughout the world. Russians did a superb Amphibious Landing in their georgia operation. Adding around 11. 5 thousand russian regions and naval infantry. The chinese are growing a huge force. If you look at the fighting happening in syria and ukraine, and around the world, it is not waged with cyber war and information. The gritty reality is it is still about the 19 year old posing a bayonet, walking into a house and clearing it up the enemy. Its still about peoples homes, their houses, the hospitals, the roads. Its about a month in which they live. Thank you. It is about they live. Thank you. It is about the land on which they live. A senior conservative mp has accused ministers of being vague and divided over brexit. Bernard jenkin, who was on the board of the official leave campaign, said Civil Servants deserved an unambiguous and united direction from ministers, singling out the chancellor Philip Hammond for criticism. It comes ahead of key ministerial meetings this week on the uk eu relationship. Im joined by our political correspondent, susana mendonca. Brexit again covering the front pages of the papers. These comments from Bernard Jenkin in particular about Philip Hammond. Yes, Philip Hammond is someone who the brexiteer is in the back benches of the tories have not liked much. Criticism directed at him again, in particular, that thing about the idea that there is a vague and divided leadership, and that basically means that Civil Servants are not being given the right direction. That is because we had a few days agojacob rees mogg talking about the Civil Service, basically putting out figures that painted brexit in the worst possible light. He talks about the treasury fiddling the figures. I suppose Bernard Jenkin really trying to move the criticism away from the Civil Service itself, and perhaps onto Philip Hammond four, in his view, taking a different view to theresa may on the direction brexit should take. Particularly the issue of the customs union, which brexiteer is one to see a complete break with the customs union. That is pretty much what thats about. Today we have had amber rudd, the home secretary, responding to these claims. She told the Andrew Marr Show that, in terms of that criticism about the forecasting, forecasting is done in order to inform decision making, but it doesnt decide decision making. As far as the Civil Service is concerned, theyre doing a good job and have the support of governments. Ican and have the support of governments. I can reassure and have the support of governments. I can reassure you and have the support of governments. I can reassure you that we need to have those forecasts whenever we embark on the policy decisions. The treasury had them ahead of the budget. Are they ever right . They are what they are. That doesnt mean we shouldnt have them. The uk government have to have forecast in order to make certain decisions. Sometimes they are wrong but sometimes they are wrong by degree. We have also heard from vince cable, leader of the lib dems. He is turning his fire onJeremy Corbyn, leader of the labour party. He is saying that there needs to be a second referendum on a final deal. We had friend Jeremy Corbyn time and again saying that there will be no referendum as far as labour is concerned. We have heard time and again is from Jeremy Corbyn. He thinks thatJeremy Corbyn is in collusion with theresa may on the brexit deal. He doesnt think the deal will be good for britain, and what may happen, in his view, is that the labour leader will take a different approach once he faces pressure from his own party. Once we see the result of the brexit deal. He externally corbyn will change tack. Journey carbon is crucial to this. It is clear that the vast majority of his mps, and of his party and supporters, are very concerned about the fact that he has not opposed brexit. Jeremy corbyn is crucial. He is effectively in collusion with theresa may and her government. There is a simmering anger about that. As we get through this year and come closer to the final decision, as it becomes clear, that were going to get a very bad deal from these negotiations, he will be under enormous pressure to agree to support a referendum on the final deal. That was vince cable. Some important meetings on brexit this week coming up in the next few days. Yes, michel barnier, david daviss opposite number in the eu, coming to britain to meet the Prime Minister and david davis. Talking about the key issue of the exit, the process of experts. What that will look like. In march 2019. It is the next stage of those negotiations. As well as Michelle Burger youre coming over, there will also be key ministerial meetings, meetings behind the scenes, technical discussions. As well as michel barnier. The process moving forward. We dont know yet what the outcome will be. All of this noise we are hearing over the weekend from brexiteer s is very much about them trying to push their idea of what they want for brexit. When he very much. Our political correspondent. Thank you. The Prime Minister is expected to announce plans to make it an offence under electoral law to intimidate parliamentary candidates and their campaigners. In a speech later this week, mrs may will say recent cases of politicians being abused in the street and online risk toxifying public debate. Sinn fein has confirmed that gerry kelly, one of its Northern Ireland assembly members, removed a clamp from the front wheel of his car, in belfast. Footage which has emerged on social media appears to show a pair of bolt cutters lying beside the wheel. A sinn fein spokesman said mr kellys solicitor was dealing with the matter. An olympic Ice Hockey Team with players from both north and south korea will compete for the first time today. The all womens team will take on sweden in a friendly match before the start of the Winter Olympics next week. North koreas participation is being seen as a show of reconciliation with the south. Heres our seoul correspondent laura bicker with more. This is the first time the public will get a chance to see the south korean inter Korean Hockey Team play. Its caused a lot of controversy here in south korea. There was a feeling certainly among a lot of young people that the south korean government had jeopardised this womens hockey teams chances at its own olympics and they were using these players as a political pawn to try to encourage north korea to take part in talks to reduce its Nuclear Weapons programme. So there was certainly a feeling that the south korean government had not consulted on this, had not spoken to the womens hockey players before deciding onajoint team. Were told that the team would work on a roster, that everyone would get their shot. There are 12 members from north korea and the Unification Ministry has issued pictures of the two sides, north and south, getting to know one another and even celebrating a birthday in a bid to calm the controversy. I think many eyes will be on the game today to see how the two sides have managed to match up and play together over the last week. Meanwhile, other athletes, ten athletes from north korea, arrived in them athletes village in pyeongchang. The north korean flag is now flying in south korea, which is a very rare sight indeed, and indeed hoisting the north korean flag in south korea is usually a crime but an exception is being made in this case. Meanwhile, north korea is continuing with its plans to hold a large military parade on the day before the Opening Ceremony of the olympics. Theyre saying certainly from pyongyang that no one has a right to interfere in its plans. The International Olympic Committee President , thomas bach, has described the decision to overturn the lifetime bans of 28 russian athletes found guilty of doping as extremely disappointing. On thursday, the court of arbitration for sport upheld the athletes appeals, saying there was insufficient evidence they had benefited from a system of state sponsored doping at the 2014 winter games, which were held in russia. Speaking at a press conference, mr bach said the ioc will look to overturn the decision. We u nfortu nately we unfortunately only know about the reasons from the very few sentences ina reasons from the very few sentences in a press release. It has so far the panel was not able to deliver a reason for the decision. Which we are eagerly awaiting. We have asked to speed this procedure up. We have been told that this could be the end of february. Which is extremely u nsatisfa ctory of february. Which is extremely unsatisfactory situation. The headlines on bbc news a senior brexiteer accuses ministers of being vague and divided in their plans for leaving the eu. Ajoint north and south korea Ice Hockey Team play together for the first time ahead of the Winter Olympics. Sport now. And for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. There were wins for ireland and wales yesterday in their opening six nations mathches. The defending champions england should make a winning start this afternoon. They take on italy in rome at 3pm. England have won all of their 23 tests against italy, only failing to score a try in one of those matches its its a great opportunity for the team. The preparation they have had has been absolutely first class. The attitude of the players has been outstanding. The leadership from senior players has been good. We are ready to put on a pretty ruthless display on sunday. A couple of premier League Matches this afternoon, spurs willjump above liverpool into third if they win at anfield. Liverpool remember are the only side to have beaten runaway leaders Manchester City this season that was a classic. Jurgen klopp thinks the spurs match could be as well. Totte n ha m tottenham have to think a lot about oui tottenham have to think a lot about our strength and we have to think a lot about paris. It cant be a game like it was against city. After that game, we said it is really very bad ifa game, game, we said it is really very bad if a game, everyone expects much about it being such a fantastic football game. From my point of view, dont hesitate, do it again. We are improving but maybe still it is not enough, because we are so far holding up the top of the table with Manchester City. It is may be difficult to win the league, but of course. Difficult to win the league, but of course. The team is more mature today and stronger mentally. The team is more mature today and stronger mentally. In the earlier kick off, Crystal Palace who are two points above the relagation zone and are at home to newcastle united, they are only out of the bottom three on goal difference. The winner would climb to 11th, its really tight at the bottom half of the table. Adelaide strikers have won australias big bash for the first time. They beat hobart hurricanes by 25 runs. Opener, and eventual man of the match, Jake Weatherald hit 115 off 70 balls in what was there first final. The strikers were playing at their home ground and made 202 for 2 off their twenty overs. And that always looked like it would be too many for the tasmanian side, as they could only reach 177 for the loss of five wickets. And the womens final was won by defending champions sydney sixers. Their opponents the perth scorchers featured england world cup winners nat sciver and Katherine Brunt but they failed to make an impact as they were bowled out for 99. And the sydney side cahsed that down with five overs to spare australian captain elise perry hit the winning runs as her team won the tournament for the second time. Great britain have to win both of todays singles rubbers to beat spain in their Davis Cup World Group tie in marbella you can follow it all on bbc 2. World number 114 Cameron Norrie is up against Albert Vinolas ramos. Whos 21st in the world. Norrie won his singles on friday. There is a possibility that Australian Open semi finalist kyle edmund, whos been struggling with a hip injury, could be called upon for the final rubber if theres anything to play for. You can follow that on bbc two. All the or the bbc sport website. Much more on all are stories today. We will be back with much more in the next hour. See you then. The hollywood actress, uma thurman, has claimed that the disgraced Film Producer, Harvey Weinstein, tried to sexually assault her at a hotel in london. The star has made detailed accusations in a newspaper interview after commenting last october that she didnt want to say anything in anger. Mr weinsteins lawyer said his client was stunned and saddened by what he considered false allegations. It comes as Scotland Yard confirms its looking into two more allegations of Sexual Assault against the producer. Our correspondent simon jones has more. She starred in several films produced by the disgraced movie mogul. It was after the success of pulp fiction that uma thurman says she was targeted by Harvey Weinstein. Now shes the latest woman to speak out in an interview with the new york times. Uma thurman claims Harvey Weinstein pushed her down when she met him in his suite here at the savoy hotel in london. She says he tried to expose himself, he did all kinds of unpleasant things. But she said she managed to wriggle away like a lizard. The next day, she says, a bunch of flowers arrived. A spokeswoman for Harvey Weinstein said in a statement. It comes as Scotland Yard say they have received two further it comes as Scotland Yard say they have received two further allegations of Sexual Assault, one from a woman who claims Harvey Weinstein assaulted her in westminster in 2011, and another from a woman who says she was targeted in the republic of ireland. That brings the total number of women who have reported the producer to British Police to nine. Officers in new york and los angeles have also begun investigations. He has denied all allegations of non consensual sex. Harvey weinstein was once one of the most powerful men in hollywood, credited with scores of oscar wins, but he has been thrown out of the organisation that runs the oscars and hes now in rehab, a huge fall from grace from which there is likely to be no return. Simon jones, bbc news. Moscow says the pilot of one of its jets, which was shot down yesterday over north west syria, ejected from the aircraft but was killed by militants on the ground. A Group Formerly linked to alqaeda claims it destroyed the plane using a shoulder launched anti aircraft missile. Sarah corker reports. The burning wreckage of what looks like a russian fighterjet, red stars clearly visible on the wing. This footage posted online appears to show the plane being hit and bursting into flames in a rebel held area of north west syria. Jihadist group Hayat Tahrir Al sham, formally linked to alqaeda, said it had shot the plane down with a surface to air missile. Moscow said the pilot ejected and survived the crash but was killed by rebels on the ground. The sukhoi 25 fighter was shot down near the city of saraqeb, close to a major highway in idlib province. It was back in december when the syrian government, backed by russian air power, launched a major offensive against rebel groups in idlib, the last province under rebel control. But civilians are paying a heavy price. Thousands have fled. On friday, rescuers said they pulled the bodies of at least seven civilians from cars hit by air strikes south of aleppo. This incident is a rare loss for the russian air force. Opposition groups have in the past shot down syrian planes but rarely those of the russian army, and there are reports that moscow has responded by firing cruise missiles from navy vessels in the mediterranean. Sarah corker, bbc news. Darkest hour, a film depicting Winston Churchills war time efforts, could be set for a bumper month after being nominated for 9 baftas and 6 oscars. The team that transformed gary oldman into the wartime leader are hoping to to win an Academy Award with the make up artists behind his transformation preparing for their own close up on the red carpet. Brennan nicholls reports. You cannot reason with a tiger when your head is in its mouth gary oldmans performance in darkest hour has already earned him many accolades and critical acclaim. Turning him, though, into britains wartime Prime Minister has been hailed as a masterpiece of make up. Gary would come into the bus. Wed shave his head, apply the make up, it takes just over three hours to apply the make up and wig, plus getting him into his fat suit and costume, it was close to four hours for the entire thing. Hes then go to set for ten or 12 hours a day filming and wed need to be there the whole time to maintain his make up throughout that. He would then we have his make up removed which takes one hour and then once he goes lucy and i stay for another hour or two. Gary oldman convinced Kazuhiro Tsuji to come out of retirement to design the churchill make up. Having just been working with david on another movie, it was oldman that asked him to be on set applying it alongside colleague lucy sibbick. And its the three of them that have been nominated for the oscar. Im extremely proud. Its the bestjob ive done so far to date and im just so pleased its getting the recognition that it deserves, because the amount of effort that myself, kazu and lucy have put into it. You know, theres such a big team involved. Were here now getting the credit and our names are on the award, but the amount of people in the workshops who have been involved is amazing. We are to receive our award. The 39 year old make up artist has a cv full of blockbusters to his name, but this is his first ever oscar nomination. Look at all this texture around here. The texture on garys nose and the colouration and broken vein work and stuff like that. Thats whyjust spending that bit more time prepping, thats why our days were so long. Ijust wanted to make sure i painted all of those pieces perfectly so that they match everyday. David flies out to los angeles for the oscar nomination lunch this weekend and then its back for the baftas, before heading back to la for the oscars themselves on march 11th for what could be his finest hour. A look at the weather now. Cold but bright sums it up for most of us. The sunnier of the two weekend days are many. Some extra cloud blowing into eastern areas with wintry showers, rain and sleet. Snow over higher ground. Windy in the south east which will make it feel cold. Five to 7 degrees at best. The strong winds will continue overnight. The strong winds will continue overnight. Overnight we will see an intensification of wintry showers. Mostly m ostly s now mostly snow showers at this stage. Could be a few centimetres of snow in the south east. That could cause some travel headaches. Elsewhere very cold to start monday. This is potentially the most disruptive weather with snow showers in east anglia and the south east. Not a bad day with chris conditions. A chilly feel at three to 6 degrees. Crisp. This is bbc news. Our latest headlines mps warn that cuts to the Royal Marines and their Amphibious Assault ships would significantly undermine britains security, calling the move militarily illiterate. if there are new intensified threats, you would think we would add to our capabilities, not removing one of our world beating star capabilities. Get behind theresa may. The message to ministers from a senior conservative as he calls for a clean brexit. Ice hockey players from a unified north and south korean team play together for the first time ahead of the Winter Olympics. The Actress Uma Thurman breaks her silence on an alleged attack by the hollywood Film Producer Harvey Weinstein. Now on bbc news, inside out west investigates what can be done to better protect cats from being shot by air guns. He was a whisker away from death. But who shot george . None of us could believe it and still now, we are very angry and upset. We didnt even know if he was going to make it. And it was totally heartbreaking for all of us. Emma britton lifts the lid on our public toilets. Oh, it stinks around here i wonder why