a plan for more, cheaper and greener buses in england to encourage us out of our cars. after almost a year of coronavirus, senior government figures tell the bbc how the government should have locked down earlier in the autumn. i like it here. no you don't. no i don't, i like it here. no you don't. no i don't. but _ i like it here. no you don't. no i don't, but i _ i like it here. no you don't. no i don't, but i like _ i like it here. no you don't. no i don't, but i like you. _ and a host of british talent is among this year's oscar nominations. and coming up in sportsday later in the hour on bbc news — we will head to cheltenham. can jump racing's world famous four—day festival save a sport in crisis? good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. germany, italy and france are among several european countries that have suspended the use of the oxford astrazeneca covid vaccine. it follows cases of blood clotting reported in some people after having the jab. so, is the astrazeneca vaccine safe? experts here say it is and the number of blood clots reported after the vaccine are no more than those typically reported within the general population. and the world health organization says there is no evidence of a link between the vaccine and reported blood clots. our medical editor fergus walsh has more. a public display of confidence in the oxford—astrazeneca vaccine from northern ireland to's chief medical officer today. northern ireland to's chief medical officertoday. by northern ireland to's chief medical officer today. by contrast, you cannot have the jab in the irish republic, in france, germany and a growing list of eu countries which have temporarily suspended its use. this is a safe, effective vaccine as recommended by mhra, let's remember, this virus kills people, it kills people my age, younger people and older people. the benefit is strongly in favour of people getting this vaccine at this time. the strongly in favour of people getting this vaccine at this time.— this vaccine at this time. the eu vaccine rolled _ this vaccine at this time. the eu vaccine rolled out _ this vaccine at this time. the eu vaccine rolled out was _ this vaccine at this time. the eu vaccine rolled out was already . vaccine rolled out was already lagging well behind of that of the uk. france has said it will wait for a safety analysis from the european medicines agency due tomorrow before deciding whether to restart using the oxford—astrazeneca vaccine. translation: the the oxford-astrazeneca vaccine. translation:— the oxford-astrazeneca vaccine. translation: . , ., . translation: the decision which has been taken is — translation: the decision which has been taken is to _ translation: the decision which has been taken is to suspend, _ translation: the decision which has been taken is to suspend, as - translation: the decision which has been taken is to suspend, as a - been taken is to suspend, as a precaution, vaccinating with the astrazeneca vaccine in the hope that we can resume quickly if the opinion of the european medicines agency allows. ., , ., _, , ., allows. nine european countries have temoraril allows. nine european countries have temporarily suspended _ allows. nine european countries have temporarily suspended all _ allows. nine european countries have temporarily suspended all use - allows. nine european countries have temporarily suspended all use of- allows. nine european countries have temporarily suspended all use of the | temporarily suspended all use of the oxford—astrazeneca vaccine pending safety investigations. germany, italy, france and the netherlands are the latest, ireland paused at the weekend following denmark, norway and iceland. several other eu countries including austria have stopped using certain batches of the vaccine. that still leaves spain and others in the eu currently using the vaccine, which has been approved in over 70 countries around the world. astrazeneca says more than 17 million people in the uk and european union have now had its vaccine and fewer than a0 cases of blood clots have been reported. it says the risks of having a clot are significantly lower among those who have been vaccinated compared to the general population. we have been vaccinated compared to the general population.— general population. we know that blood clots are _ general population. we know that blood clots are remarkably - general population. we know that l blood clots are remarkably common and we would expect them to happen in one or two people per 1000 per year, which is actually a very large number and much, year, which is actually a very large numberand much, much higherthan the sorts of levels that we are talking about in these particular reports. talking about in these particular reorts. , , ., reports. scientists in the uk are frankly baffled _ reports. scientists in the uk are frankly baffled by _ reports. scientists in the uk are frankly baffled by the _ reports. scientists in the uk are frankly baffled by the decisions| frankly baffled by the decisions made in the eu. there is concern that the pause in using the astrazeneca jab will cost lives because people won't be protected from covid, and that it would damage public confidence in a highly effective vaccine. fergus walsh, bbc news. let's talk to our europe editor katya adler in brussels. europe has struggled with its vaccine roll—out and now it's pausing the use of astrazeneca just as several eu countries are having to introduce new restrictions and lockdowns. absolutely. covid is still biting hard across europe, as you say. several countries tightening their restrictions. italyjust today. the eu, of course, has been complaining loudly that it has a severe vaccine shortage, that it has not had deliveries of the amount of vaccines that it expected. many countries invested heavily in astrazeneca, particularly austria among countries in central and eastern europe, but every eu country had access to astrazeneca, and now as you say quite a number have said, look, we are going to pause the roll—out of astrazeneca while we investigate these claims of blood clots. of course, when you have a number of countries taking those measures, denmark, austria, the netherlands yesterday, then you have germany and italy, france feeling under pressure to take the same kind of action. germany said clearly this is a precautionary measure. it is waiting to hear from the precautionary measure. it is waiting to hearfrom the european precautionary measure. it is waiting to hear from the european medicines agency later on this week, which tonight was saying that it still believes the use of the astrazeneca vaccine far outweighs any risks, but bearin vaccine far outweighs any risks, but bear in mind that here in mainland europe people tend to be more sceptical about the vaccines and this could endanger others just even using astrazeneca or any other vaccine and the critics of governments who are holding the use of the vaccines say this could actually just cost further lives. katya adler in brussels, thank you. the prime minister says the government will work to ensure that women have confidence in the police following the death of sarah everard and the outcry over the police's response to a vigil for her on saturday. borisjohnson says he continues to back the metropolitan police commissioner, cressida dick, and that there will be an independent investigation into what happened. by coincidence, parliament is debating a new policing and justice bill today, which, amongst other things, will restrict the right to protest. our special correspondent, lucy manning, reports. this is a moment, a moment for the country and women in particular. it has triggered something in so many, and although few here will have known sarah everard, they think of her and their own experiences of harassment, abuse, or rape. your story is ours and ours is yours, the message here. that's why this scene two days ago where reflection turned to resentment towards the police behaviour upset so many. officers dragging away women taking a stand against violence. for those at the vigil on saturday, anger it didn't stay peaceful. the vigil on saturday, anger it didn't stay peaceful-— stay peaceful. the police in the middle of that _ stay peaceful. the police in the middle of that vigil _ stay peaceful. the police in the middle of that vigil made - stay peaceful. the police in the middle of that vigil made a - stay peaceful. the police in the l middle of that vigil made a clear decision to do enforcement and it was at that point when they went up to the bandstand that the mood changed in the vigil, and people became stressed and upset. given the fact that there was a load of burly men going up to the bandstand to try to stop women speaking.— to stop women speaking. georgina ashb was to stop women speaking. georgina ashby was also _ to stop women speaking. georgina ashby was also at _ to stop women speaking. georgina ashby was also at the _ to stop women speaking. georgina ashby was also at the vigil- to stop women speaking. georgina ashby was also at the vigil and - to stop women speaking. georgina ashby was also at the vigil and on | ashby was also at the vigil and on her way home when she saw a man exposing himself. it her way home when she saw a man exposing himself.— exposing himself. it was a group of about five or _ exposing himself. it was a group of about five or six _ exposing himself. it was a group of about five or six police _ exposing himself. it was a group of about five or six police officers - about five or six police officers and i _ about five or six police officers and i went _ about five or six police officers and i went up and said, "hey, excuse me, and i went up and said, "hey, excuse me. there _ and i went up and said, "hey, excuse me. there is — and i went up and said, "hey, excuse me. there is a — and i went up and said, "hey, excuse me, there is a man who has his genitalia — me, there is a man who has his genitalia out, i feel really uncomfortable, it is a bit scary, can you — uncomfortable, it is a bit scary, can you please check it out?" a female — can you please check it out?" a female officer was, can you please check it out?" a female officerwas, "0k, can you please check it out?" a female officerwas, "ok, let's can you please check it out?" a female officer was, "ok, let's go." and mate — female officer was, "ok, let's go." and male officer said, we have had enough _ and male officer said, we have had enough of— and male officer said, we have had enough of the rioters tonight, we are hot— enough of the rioters tonight, we are not going to deal with it. how did it make _ are not going to deal with it. how did it make you _ are not going to deal with it. how did it make you feel— are not going to deal with it. firm? did it make you feel when they said they would not take any action? it was disappointing, i wouldn't say it is an— was disappointing, i wouldn't say it is an issue — was disappointing, i wouldn't say it is an issue with the police on the ground, — is an issue with the police on the ground, they are only listening to instruction. — ground, they are only listening to instruction, it needs to come from the too _ instruction, it needs to come from the too and — instruction, it needs to come from the top and there needs to be a systematic change. the the top and there needs to be a systematic change.— systematic change. the prime minister said _ systematic change. the prime minister said the _ systematic change. the prime minister said the pictures - systematic change. the prime | minister said the pictures from systematic change. the prime - minister said the pictures from the vigil were distressing, but he still had full confidence in the head of the metropolitan police cressida dick. ., , , ., dick. people must feel, women in particular. — dick. people must feel, women in particular. must — dick. people must feel, women in particular, must feel _ dick. people must feel, women in particular, must feel that - dick. people must feel, women in particular, must feel that when i dick. people must feel, women in l particular, must feel that when they make serious complaints about violence, about assault that they are properly heard and properly addressed. ih are properly heard and properly addressed-— are properly heard and properly addressed. ~ , , ., addressed. in westminster, a few hundred peeple — addressed. in westminster, a few hundred people gathered - addressed. in westminster, a few hundred people gathered to - hundred people gathered to demonstrate against attacks on women and about a commons debate this evening on new laws for the police and courts. evening on new laws for the police and courts-— and courts. too many of us have walked home — and courts. too many of us have walked home from _ and courts. too many of us have walked home from school - and courts. too many of us have walked home from school or- and courts. too many of us have. walked home from school or work alone only to hear footsteps uncomfortably close behind us. too many of us have pretended to be on a phone to a friend to scare someone off. too many of us have clutched our keys in our fist off. too many of us have clutched our keys in ourfist in off. too many of us have clutched our keys in our fist in case we need to defend ourselves, and that is not ok. it to defend ourselves, and that is not ok. , , to defend ourselves, and that is not ok. ,, ., ., _ 0k. it is still so emotionally charued 0k. it is still so emotionally charged here. _ 0k. it is still so emotionally charged here. men - 0k. it is still so emotionally charged here. men and - 0k. it is still so emotionally i charged here. men and women standing, many of the women are in tears. it has certainly touched something. and if the spark was the death of sarah everard and the flash point the police clearing the vigil, then the focus has to be on the police and the politicians stopping the attacks and harassment of women. at the heart of all this, sarah everard. police searching in sandwich in kent today as they widen the investigation to find out how she was murdered. lucy manning, bbc news. the scenes that unfolded on saturday night have raised questions about the role of the police, of politicians and of those who attended the vigil. our home editor mark easton looks at the many issues which arise when public gatherings are held during a pandemic. his report contains flash photography from the very start. understanding what went wrong on clapham common on saturday night means going right back to the beginning of the pandemic a year ago. the public health emergency saw new laws forbidding ancient freedoms. police found themselves navigating strange legal territory and decided to take a sensitive and sympathetic approach to the coronavirus regulations, using enforcement only as a last resort. derbyshire police found themselves criticised for being too tough in the early days of lockdown. officers found themselves in a place that they had never been before. and, in a sense, we were all making it up as we went along. everyone in society. the difference for police officers was that they were having to apply the new legislation. last summer posed a new question for police. how to deal with protests? chanting power... power to the people. the black lives matter movement exploded onto the streets and, rather than risk a confrontation, some officers took a knee in solidarity. when demonstrators in bristol pulled down a statue with police watching on, the home secretary let it be known she wanted and expected tougher enforcement. to the criminal minority| who have subverted this cause with their thuggery, i simply say this. - your behaviour is shameful and you will face justice. i the death of sarah everard amid the tightest of lockdowns in england prompted an outpouring of anguish. the organisation reclaim these streets wanted to hold a vigil, promising to provide stewards and ensure social distancing, but police said such an event would be illegal. the debate ended at the high court. the argument was about the coronavirus regulations versus the fundamental right to freedom of expression, as enshrined in the human rights act. now, the judge listened to both sides but, in the end, declined to rule on the legality of the vigil itself. he was effectively saying sort it out between yourselves. facing a potential £10,000 fine, reclaim these streets decided to cancel their involvement in the event. this afternoon, they met with metropolitan police commissoner dame cressida dick. cressida dick has lost our confidence and the confidence, i think, of women in the capital. this morning, we didn't want to call on her to resign until we had at least had a meeting and given her a chance to engage with us. we feel that that chance was wasted. without organisation, the vigil was much more difficult to control. when some women moved to make speeches, it appears police tactics changed. perhaps it was felt this turned a legal vigil into an unlawful demo. passions exploded, there was anti—police chanting. chanting nojustice, no peace! and a group of anti—lockdown protesters joined the crowds. mistakes were made, but there is no map for policing in a pandemic. the insensitivity shown on clapham common on saturday night may have been a side effect of covid—19. mark easton, bbc news. the latest coronavirus figures show there were 5,089 new cases recorded in the latest 2a—hour period, which means on average the number of new cases reported per day in the last week, is 5,756. there were 6a deaths reported, that's of people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test, which means on average, 1a5 people died every day in the last week from coronavirus taking the total to 125,580. 257,010 people have had their first dose of a covid their first dose of a covid vaccine in the latest 2a—hour period, which means a total of more than 2a million people have now had theirfirstjab — meaning just over a6% of the population has now received their first vaccination. more than 1.6 million people have had both doses of the vaccine. new measures have been promised to improve bus services in england following cheaper, greener and more frequent services and miles of new bus lanes. the government says its aim is to encourage more people to take the bus rather than use their car. labour says the plan fails to reverse recent cuts to bus routes. our transport correspondent caroline davies reports. it's the route in, it's the route out, so how well it works can affect your life. buses to southfields northampton run every 30 minutes, but never on sundays. like, as it is now, we are not getting any increase in our salaries but the buses are rising, so it's really expensive. especially for me as well as single parent. nathan has been out of work as a decorator since december. i find getting a bus to town - gives me motivation to do things. for a week rider, it's £15. but for a monthly rider, 60 quid. i mean, that is 60 quid you ain't got. stagecoach, who run the service, says it does offer a discount for job—seekers. today, the prime minister announced the government's plan to improve buses, including introducing a,000 hydrogen or electric buses. this is an investment in the long—term future of this country. it's an investment in driving down carbon emissions, in making the uk one of the world's leaders in clean, green technology. the government say they also want simpler bus fares, more services, contactless payments and more bus lanes. local authorities will have to work with bus operators to make a legally binding plan that meets the government's priorities, in order to secure some of the £3 billion of funding. the idea behind the government plan is that this would create a positive c