bbcuk--2020-09-09--Coronavirus: Oxford University vaccine trial paused after participant falls ill

Final clinical trials for a coronavirus vaccine , developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University , have been put on hold after a participant had a suspected adverse reaction in the UK .
AstraZeneca described it as a `` routine '' pause in the case of `` an unexplained illness '' .
The outcome of vaccine trials is being closely watched around the world .
The AstraZeneca-Oxford University vaccine is seen as a strong contender among dozens being developed globally .
• How close to developing a vaccine are we ?
• What drugs can help treat coronavirus ?
Hopes have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the first to come on the market , following successful phase 1 and 2 testing .
Its move to Phase 3 testing in recent weeks has involved some 30,000 participants in the US as well as in the UK , Brazil and South Africa .
Phase 3 trials in vaccines often involve thousands of participants and can last several years .
The New York Times is reporting a volunteer in the UK trial has been diagnosed with transverse myelitis , an inflammatory syndrome that affects the spinal cord and can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cause of the illness has not been confirmed and an independent investigation will now work out if there was any link to the vaccine .
Decision on restarting trial could be days away At first glance this may seem alarming .
A vaccine trial - and not just any vaccine , but one receiving massive global attention - is put on hold due to a suspected serious adverse reaction .
But such events are not unheard of .
Indeed the Oxford team describe it as `` routine '' .
Any time a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause of their illness is not immediately apparent it triggers a study to be put on hold .
This is actually the second time it has happened with the Oxford University/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine trial since the first volunteers were immunised in April .
An Oxford University spokesperson said : `` In large trials , illnesses will happen by chance but must be independently reviewed to check this carefully . ''
A final decision on restarting the trial will be taken by the medical regulator the MHRA , which could take only days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in the UK , Brazil , South Africa and the USA are on hold .
The Oxford University team believe this process illustrates that they are committed to the safety of their volunteers and the highest standards of conduct in their studies .
Wellcome Trust director Sir Jeremy Farrar , an expert in infectious disease control , said there were often pauses in vaccine trials .
It was important any adverse reactions were taken seriously , he said .
And it underlined the importance of `` independent oversight '' .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared openly and transparently because the public must have absolute trust that these vaccines are safe and effective and , in the end , will hopefully bring the pandemic to a close , '' Sir Jeremy added .
Where are we in the search for a vaccine ?
US President Donald Trump has said he wants a vaccine available in the US before 3 November 's election , but his comments have raised fears that politics may be prioritised over safety in the rush for a vaccine .
On Tuesday , a group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reassure the public by announcing a `` historic pledge '' to uphold scientific and ethical standards in the search for a vaccine .
AstraZeneca is among the nine firms who signed up to the pledge to only apply for regulatory approval after vaccines have gone through three phases of clinical study .
Industry giants Johnson & Johnson , BioNTech , GlaxoSmithKline , Pfizer , Merck , Moderna , Sanofi and Novavax are the other signatories .
They pledged to `` always make the safety and well-being of vaccinated individuals our top priority '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' in the scramble for a vaccine • How will the world vaccinate seven billion people ?
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) says nearly 180 vaccine candidates are being tested around the world but none has yet completed clinical trials .
The organisation has said it does not expect a vaccine to meet its efficacy and safety guidelines in order to be approved this year because of the time it takes to test them safely .
Similar sentiments have been shared by Thomas Cueni , director-general of the International Federation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the companies that signed the pledge .
Despite this , China and Russia have begun inoculating some key workers with domestically developed vaccines .
All of them are still listed by the WHO as being in clinical trials .
Meanwhile , the US national regulator , the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) , has suggested that coronavirus vaccines may be approved before completing a third phase of clinical trials .
Last week it also emerged that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had urged states to consider waiving certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distribute a potential vaccine by 1 November - two days before the 3 November presidential election .
Although President Trump has hinted that a vaccine might be available before the election , his Democratic rival Joe Biden has expressed scepticism that Mr Trump will listen to scientists and implement a transparent process .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak • STRESS : How to look after your mental @

At first glance this may seem alarming. A vaccine trial - and not just any vaccine, but one receiving massive global attention - is put on hold due to a suspected serious adverse reaction. But such events are not unheard of. Indeed the Oxford team describe it as "routine". Any time a volunteer is admitted to hospital and the cause of their illness is not immediately apparent it triggers a study to be put on hold.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Scotland deaths up a third between April and June

The total number of deaths in Scotland rose by a third between April and June 2020 , according to official figures .
The National Records of Scotland ( NRS ) said 18,201 deaths had been registered , 4,515 more than the five-year average .
Covid-19 was the underlying cause in 3,739 of them , accounting for 83 % of the excess deaths .
Deaths from diabetes , dementia and Alzheimer 's Disease were about a quarter higher than the five-year average , the NRS said .
Deaths from diseases of the genitourinary system also increased by 22.5 % .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20.6 % and deaths from transport accidents were down by 69.1 % .
The three-month period covers the height of the coronavirus lockdown in Scotland when schools and businesses were closed , and traffic on all roads was significantly reduced .
Regular health care had been disrupted after NHS Scotland was placed on an emergency footing in mid-March to deal with the outbreak .
Accident and Emergency attendances dropped to below half their normal levels during April , Public Health Scotland data shows .
It is also possible that some deaths attributed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak were undiagnosed Covid-19 cases .
Julie Ramsay , vital events statistician for the NRS , said : `` The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the number of deaths we normally see at this time of year , and the overall death rate is a third higher than the five-year average .
`` Covid-19 has also impacted the number of marriages - from April to June only 117 marriages took place , a stark contrast to the five-year average of 7,938 . ''
Five of the marriages registered were same-sex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the five-year average of 286 .
Ms Ramsay added that only 1,145 births were recorded as the registration of births was postponed during this period .
A large increase in the number of birth registrations is expected in the next quarter .
• IMPACT : How is the pandemic affecting life in Scotland ?
• CASES : Where are the latest cases in Scotland ?
• QUIZ : How well do you know the Covid restrictions ?
• BACK TO SCHOOL : Can a school insist on a Covid test ?
• LOCKDOWN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when ?

Ms Sturgeon said: "I hope you can see why the situation just now is a matter of concern to us, and why we need to continue to work as hard as we can to keep the virus under control."


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Birmingham stabbings: Zephaniah McLeod appears in court

A man has appeared in court charged with murder and seven counts of attempted murder after a series of stabbings in Birmingham .
Jacob Billington , 23 , was killed and seven others were injured at four locations across the city centre over a period of 90 minutes on Sunday .
Mr McLeod was remanded in custody and is due at crown court on Thursday .
He spoke only to confirm his personal details during an appearance before two magistrates and was not asked for any pleas .
There was no application for bail .
The victims of the attempted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dolobauskaite , Thomas Glassey , Michael Callaghan , Shane Rowley , Rhys Cummings and Ryan Bowers , the court was told .
A post-mortem examination found Mr Billington , a library intern at Sheffield Hallam University and originally from Crosby in Merseyside , died of a stab wound to the neck .
Mr Billington was among a group of people enjoying a night out while visiting a friend studying in the city .
His old school friend Mr Callaghan , also 23 and a fellow band-mate , was seriously injured and said to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
Mr Billington and Mr Callaghan had previously attended Sacred Heart Catholic College in Crosby , where prayers were said on Monday evening for their families .
A 22-year-old woman , attacked in Hurst Street , was critical but stable in hospital , police said .
Another man , aged 30 , was in a serious condition in hospital , while four others have been discharged .
Three people arrested early on Monday in Selly Oak on suspicion of assisting an offender have all been released while inquiries continue , police @ @ @

He spoke only to confirm his personal details during an appearance before two magistrates and was not asked for any pleas. There was no application for bail.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--David Beckham's Guild Esports to float on London stock market

An e-sports company in which David Beckham owns a significant stake is seeking to raise £20m by listing its shares on the London Stock Exchange .
Guild Esports will be the first in the UK to offer fans the chance to put money into backing its teams of gamers .
E-sports , where spectators watch players video gaming , has seen its popularity rise during lockdown .
The company plans to field teams in the global online games Fortnite , CS : Go , Rocket League and Fifa .
It wants to build up its teams ' skills using systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ academics .
Prize and sponsorship money for e-sports run in the millions and audiences run to more than 100 million for some events , outstripping those for major sporting events such as Wimbledon and the Tour de France .
Guild Esports said that by 2019 , e-sports had a total of 443 million viewers , and the market is projected to grow to 646 million viewers by 2023 .
The shares will initially be offered to large investors next month , but afterwards will trade freely on the stock market where anyone can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initial share placing will be used to expand the business , including recruiting new players .
The investment further extends David Beckham 's wide-ranging business interests , which include fashion , fragrances , whisky and a football club in Florida that he co-owns .
Guild Esports said he would use his `` global influence and following to support the development of the company 's brand and business '' .
Beckham is one of the founding shareholders in the business , holding what is described as a `` significant minority stake '' , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not the first footballer to spot the potential opportunities in e-sports .
Wales and Real Madrid player Gareth Bale launched his e-sports organisation , Ellevens Esports , earlier this year .
Carleton Curtis , the executive chairman of Guild Esports , said : `` Guild will be the first e-sports franchise to join the London stock market .
`` It will provide us with the cache , credibility and capital to fulfil our ambition to become one of the world 's top 10 e-sports franchises within three years . ''

Prize and sponsorship money for e-sports run in the millions and audiences run to more than 100 million for some events, outstripping those for major sporting events such as Wimbledon and the Tour de France.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Kesgrave shooting: Teen in court charged with schoolboy attack

A 15-year-old has appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of a boy of the same age was shot @ @ @ @ @ walked to school .
The shooting happened on the Grange Farm estate in Kesgrave , @ @ @ @ @ BST on Monday .
The victim remains in a critical condition at hospital .
The @ @ @ @ @ be named due to his age , was remanded in custody by Norwich Youth Court @ @ @ @ @ Court later .
The victim was shot in the face , allegedly after a confrontation @ @ @ @ @ The defendant is also charged with possession of a firearm , a 12-gauge Beretta over-and-under @ @ @ @ @ cause fear of injury of another person , and possession of a firearm with intent @ @ @ @ @ youth , from the Woodbridge area , spoke only to confirm his name , date @ @ @ @ @ the 20-minute hearing .
He was not asked to enter pleas .

The defendant, from the Woodbridge area, is also charged with possessing a firearm, a 12-gauge Beretta over-and-under shotgun, with intent to cause fear of injury of another person, and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary calls UK travel quarantine 'a shambles'

The UK 's travel quarantine policy is a `` shambles of mismanagement '' , Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has said .
In an interview with the BBC , Mr O'Leary said the UK and Irish Governments `` stand indicted '' .
He said the UK quarantine was `` lumpy and defective '' and that the UK needed to use testing at airports to help the safe return of international travel .
Boris Johnson has said travel quarantines are `` vital '' to fight Covid-19 as testing can be unreliable .
The policy requires travellers to high-risk countries to isolate for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK .
Mr O'Leary described the record of the UK government as `` pretty poor in almost all respects of dealing with Covid '' .
`` They were late into lockdown , they were late into testing , they were late into face masks , now they 're pooh-poohing testing .
Testing is the only way forward here . ''
• Who must self-isolate after arriving in the UK ?
He cited the Italian and German governments , who allowed intra-European travel from 1 July , as managing the virus well thanks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trace system '' .
Mr O'Leary said he supported a two-test system , where a passenger would be tested on arrival at an airport and then tested five days later , and if they got two negative tests they would leave quarantine early .
UK government sources have indicated that they are looking at system where the two tests would be eight days apart to further minimise the risk of `` false negative '' results .
But Mr O'Leary said a two-test system mitigated against business travel , noting : `` The City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel . ''
He also said that the UK tourism sector needed European visitors , and he questioned why the UK was relying on a `` failed quarantine '' policy rather than a better test-and-trace system and testing at airports .
`` You 're much more likely to get Covid in Bolton rather than Barcelona , '' he said .
Asked whether he had spoken to the Transport Secretary , Grant Shapps about all of this he said : `` Honestly , talking to Grant Shapps is a waste of time… he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Number 10 Downing Street . ''
When asked if he had talked to anyone in Number 10 , Mr O'Leary said : `` I would n't waste my time talking to anyone in the UK government at the moment given their abysmal record at mismanaging Covid . ''
He claimed that short-haul intra-European business travel and visits `` will return very quickly , once there is an identifiable vaccine '' .
Last week the prime minister appeared to pour cold water over the idea of tests at airports , saying it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` That 's why the quarantine system that we have has got to be an important part of our repertoire , of our toolbox , in fighting Covid , '' he said .
`` What we do n't want to see is reinfection coming in from abroad and quarantine is a vital part of that . ''

Asked whether he had spoken to the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps about all of this he said: "Honestly, talking to Grant Shapps is a waste of time… he is the messenger boy for whatever goes on in Number 10 Downing Street."


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Brexit: UK to unveil planned changes to Withdrawal Agreement

The government will later publish plans which could override key elements of its Brexit deal with Brussels , in breach of international law .
The Internal Market Bill will set out how powers currently held by the EU will be shared out after the post-Brexit transition period ends .
But it has faced a backlash from senior Tories and prompted the resignation of a top civil servant .
It comes as the talks over a trade deal with the EU continue in London .
The Internal Market Bill could override parts of the Withdrawal Agreement that secured the UK 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • What do I need to know about Brexit now ?
Ministers say it is needed to prevent `` damaging '' tariffs on goods travelling from the rest of the UK to Northern Ireland if negotiations with the EU on a free trade agreement fail .
But senior Conservatives have warned it risks undermining the UK 's reputation as an upholder of international law .
Tobias Ellwood , chairman of the Commons Defence Committee , said the UK would `` lose the moral high ground '' if the government went through with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee said : `` Our entire economy is based on the perception that people have of the UK 's adherence to the rule of law . ''
Health Secretary Matt Hancock insisted the changes were necessary to protect the Northern Ireland peace process if the UK failed to get a free trade deal with the EU .
`` The decision we 've made is to put the peace process first , first and foremost as our absolute top international obligation , '' he told BBC Radio 4 's Today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in putting together the Withdrawal Agreement , reacted furiously to Mr Hancock 's claim .
The former minister , who did not want to be named , told the BBC : `` I can not allow anyone to get away with saying the government is doing this to protect the peace process .
This does the precise opposite .
`` It is about the internal market in the UK and is more likely to lead to a hard border [ between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland ] which will imperil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary to the Government Legal Department , Sir Jonathan Jones , has resigned from his role over concerns about the government breaching its obligations under international law .
In the Commons on Tuesday , Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis admitted the bill would break international law in a `` very specific and limited way '' .
It would allow the UK government to `` dis-apply '' the EU legal concept of `` direct effect '' - which gives EU law supremacy over UK law in areas covered by the Withdrawal Agreement - in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he told MPs .
The Scottish government , meanwhile , has said it will not consent to a change in the law along these lines , arguing that it would undermines devolution .
The bill has also been attacked by the Welsh Brexit minister , Labour 's Jeremy Miles , who accused the government of `` stealing powers from devolved administrations '' .
`` This bill is an attack on democracy and an affront to the people of Wales , Scotland and Northern Ireland , '' he added .
The legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland handed powers in areas such as air quality and building efficiency currently regulated at EU level .
It will also set up a new body - the Office for the Internal Market - to make sure standards adopted in different parts of the UK do not undermine cross-border trade .
The new body will be able to issue non-binding recommendations to the UK Parliament and devolved administrations when clashes emerge .
However , plans to hand UK ministers extra powers to ensure the application of customs and trade rules in Northern Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's legal obligations in its exit deal .
Under the UK 's withdrawal agreement , Northern Ireland is due to stay part of the EU 's single market for goods in a bid to avoid creating a hard border with the Irish Republic .
In parallel with talks over a post-Brexit trade deal , the UK and EU are negotiating the precise nature of new customs checks that will be required .
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has accused Downing Street of `` reopening old arguments that had been settled '' and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deal with the EU .
Former Conservative PM Theresa May warned the legislation could damage `` trust '' in the UK over future trade deals with other states .
And French MEP Nathalie Loiseau said : `` The prime minister has promised to put a tiger in the tank in the negotiations .
It seems for the time being he is putting an elephant in the china shop . ''

The former minister, who did not want to be named, told the BBC: "I cannot allow anyone to get away with saying the government is doing this to protect the peace process. This does the precise opposite.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe: New charge 'a political game', says husband

A new charge against Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe , the British-Iranian woman jailed in Iran , is `` a new stage in an long-running political game '' , her husband Richard has claimed .
`` She is clearly being held as a bargaining chip , '' Mr Ratcliffe said .
Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe is nearing the end of her sentence for spying charges , which she denies .
But on Tuesday , she was told she would face a new trial .
The Foreign Office said British officials will try to attend the trial .
Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested in Tehran in April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents with her young British-born daughter , Gabriella , who is now six .
The dual national was sentenced to five years in prison over allegations of plotting against the Iranian government - although no official charges have ever been made public .
Gabriella has now returned to the UK .
• What is the Zaghari-Ratcliffe case about ?
Earlier this year , Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was given temporary leave from prison because of the coronavirus outbreak and has been living at her parents ' house in Tehran with an ankle tag .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will face another trial , which will be held on Sunday .
The new charge had not previously been publicly disclosed , but Mr Ratcliffe said it was an allegation of `` spreading propaganda against the regime '' .
`` Her lawyer got to look at the file , '' he told BBC Radio 4 Today programme .
`` It looks like the file is really a rehash of what she got convicted of first time round .
`` But , you know , previously the evidence has changed between the lawyer reading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case so we 'll only really know on Sunday what she 's going to be accused of . ''
Mr Ratcliffe told BBC Radio 4 that the news was `` certainly very tough for her '' , adding : `` I spoke to her just before she went into court .
`` That 's probably when she was most terrified and in all honesty she had fears that she was being taken back to prison , not to court at all , it was a big trick . ''
`` She 's been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of her sentence and suddenly those goalposts look like they are about to move , '' he added to BBC Breakfast .
Mr Ratcliffe said his wife and other dual nationals are being held hostage because Iran wants the UK to pay a decades-old debt over an arms deal that was never fulfilled .
The UK owes Iran about £400m for some Chieftain tanks it promised the former Shah of Iran but never delivered after the 1979 revolution .
The UK has agreed to pay the money but ca n't until a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sanctions that currently make repayment impossible .
`` Behind closed doors I 've been warning the government that the closer we got to the end of her sentence without things being sorted , the more there was a risk of something happening , and so it 's come to pass , '' said Mr Ratcliffe .
`` This is definitely political , and it 's definitely a new stage in an long-running political game . ''
He said : `` The UK needs to take a much firmer line to protecting its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than a year ago - it has n't done very much with it . ''
Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe 's family and the UK government have always maintained her innocence and she has been given diplomatic protection by the Foreign Office - meaning the case is treated as a formal , legal dispute between Britain and Iran .
The Foreign , Commonwealth & Development Office said that British officials will seek to attend any new hearings in Iran against Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe .
They said in a statement : `` Iran bringing new charges against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We have been consistently clear that she must not be returned to prison . ''

"Behind closed doors I've been warning the government that the closer we got to the end of her sentence without things being sorted, the more there was a risk of something happening, and so it's come to pass," said Mr Ratcliffe.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Coronavirus: Merthyr Tydfil and RCT tests cause concern

Merthyr Tydfil could be the next area in Wales to see a local lockdown , according to a health data expert .
The former head of health analysis at the Office for National Statistics highlighted the rising proportion of positive Covid-19 tests in the area .
In the past seven days , 4.4 % of tests in and around Merthyr were positive .
That is close to the 4.8 % figure seen in Caerphilly , which has gone into lockdown , and well above the 3.1 % seen in Rhondda Cynon Taff .
Local MP Chris Bryant has warned a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rhondda Cynon Taff `` by the weekend '' if cases continue to rise .
But data expert Jamie Jenkins said : `` If you look at the data across the whole of Wales , Merthyr Tydfil would be the one you would be more concerned about rather than Rhondda Cynon Taff .
`` Over the past seven days in Merthyr , 4.4 % of tests came back positive , which is not far behind Caerphilly , and they have only done half the number of tests .
• Rhondda Cynon Taff could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are talking about Merthyr than Rhondda Cynon Taff because the numbers are smaller but the local authority of Merthyr is much smaller .
`` But if we 're looking at where the next risk of a local lockdown is going to be , it 's probably Merthyr above [ RCT ] , if they apply the same principle of looking at the stats . ''
Merthyr Tydfil council has been asked to comment .
The number of positive tests across Wales was also `` a concern '' , said Mr Jenkins , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 2 % in the space of the last four weeks .
How many cases have there been in Merthyr ?
Merthyr Tydfil 's case rate - the proportion of cases for the size of its population - has grown almost as fast as neighbouring Rhondda Cynon Taff in the last week .
The current rate is 34.8 cases per 100,000 - which is 21 cases in the last seven days .
It already has the highest case rate total , after Wrexham , following a cluster of cases in June associated with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Wales has also confirmed it is investigating a small number of cases at a factory in the town .
More than 250 people work at the General Dynamics plant , which assembles armoured vehicles for the Army .
Will Rhondda Cynon Taff go into lockdown ?
Visits to RCT care homes have already been stopped , while six supermarkets have been given improvement orders after check-up visits by officials .
There have been warnings over social distancing due to small clusters around Porth , Penygraig and Tonypandy .
The spread of Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a different nature to the infections in Caerphilly , where there has been community transmission .
Rhondda Cynon Taff council leader Andrew Morgan said there were just days to `` get on top '' of rising infections and a temporary testing centre has opened in Porth .
Six supermarkets in the county have been served improvement order notices after checks by public health officials on 45 premises found they were not adhering to coronavirus regulations .
They are Tesco in Talbot Green , Aldi and Morrison 's in Porth , Lidl in Aberdare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the Co-op in Ynysybwl .
They have 48 hours to correct the issues highlighted or they could face further action , including closure .
Mr Morgan also announced pubs would now be inspected in a similar way to check they were complying with legislation .
`` We do n't want to see pubs having to close early or be closed altogether , '' he said .
Rhondda MP Chris Bryant also said he feared a lockdown could be imminent .
`` If we carry on as we are then there will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend , because a small minority of people are being fundamentally irresponsible , '' Mr Bryant told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast .
• How do I get a coronavirus test ?
`` They are refusing to isolate when they come home from holiday , refusing to be tested when they are showing symptoms , going to caravan sites in groups of six , seven , eight families together , holding parties in houses , giving false names to pubs so they ca n't be traced .
`` The truth is that we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think they and the people they love are magically immune but if we do n't take this seriously there will be a major lockdown , which will affect people 's livelihoods and finances . ''

Coronavirus: Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda tests cause concern Published 9 September 2020
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Image source, Getty Images Image caption, There are fears about the rising number of coronavirus cases in some valleys areas
Merthyr Tydfil could be the next area in Wales to see a local lockdown, according to a health data expert.
The former head of health analysis at the Office for National Statistics highlighted the rising proportion of positive coronavirus tests in the area.
In the past seven days, 6% of tests in and around Merthyr were positive.
That is more than the 5.1% in Caerphilly, which has gone into lockdown, and almost double the 3.2% in Rhondda Cynon Taff.
In Caerphilly, the opening dates of testing centres at the town's leisure centre and Penallta House council offices have been extended until 15 September.
At Porth, in Rhondda Cynon Taff, a temporary testing centre will open at Oldway House from 09:30 BST on Thursday.
Rhondda MP Chris Bryant has warned a local lockdown could be enforced in the area "by the weekend" if cases continued to rise.
But data expert Jamie Jenkins said: "If you look at the data across the whole of Wales, Merthyr Tydfil would be the one you would be more concerned about rather than Rhondda Cynon Taff."
Mr Jenkins said fewer people were talking about Merthyr rather than Rhondda Cynon Taff "because the numbers are smaller but the local authority of Merthyr is much smaller."
He added: "But if we're looking at where the next risk of a local lockdown is going to be, it's probably Merthyr above [RCT], if they apply the same principle of looking at the stats."
Merthyr Tydfil council has been asked to comment.
The number of positive tests across Wales was also "a concern", said Mr Jenkins, with the proportion more than doubling, from 1% to 2.5% in the space of the past four weeks.
How many cases have there been in Merthyr?
The case rate - the proportion of cases for the size of its population - is now 51.4 per 100,000 - which is 31 cases in the past seven days.
It has the highest case rate total after Caerphilly, which is 83.4 per 100,000.
The rate in Rhondda Cynon Taff is 41.4, in Powys 21.9 and in Wrexham it is 20.6.
Public Health Wales is investigating a small number of cases at a factory in Merthyr.
More than 250 people work at the General Dynamics plant, which assembles armoured vehicles for the Army.
The Welsh Government felt it had little option but to introduce a local lockdown in Caerphilly county, because of a dramatic rise in the coronavirus case rate - the proportion of cases to the population.
Not quite as startling, but still significant, has been the case rate rises in Rhondda Cynon Taff and Merthyr Tydfil.
But public health experts won't just be looking at those figures, they are also looking at how many tests are coming back positive.
The average in Wales over the last week has been 2.5%, but in Caerphilly it's more than double that - 5.1%
In RCT currently, about three tests in every 100 come back positive. That's actually that's lower than Newport.
But if we look at Merthyr Tydfil, 6% of tests are coming back positive, so no wonder alarm bells are ringing.
I believe if that was replicated across Wales, we might be back to a blanket lockdown.
As it stands, it seems almost inevitable there will be more restrictions as time goes on.
But they might be different, depending on local circumstances.
The message health officials are trying to stress at the moment is, wherever you live, is if you want to avoid a form of local lockdown, be careful, observe social distancing and take the coronavirus risk seriously.
Will Rhondda Cynon Taff go into lockdown?
Visits to care homes in the county have already been stopped, while six supermarkets have been given improvement orders after checks by public health officials found they were not adhering to coronavirus regulations.
They are Tesco in Talbot Green, Aldi and Morrison's in Porth, Lidl in Aberdare, Iceland in Taff Street, Pontypridd, and Co-op in Ynysybwl.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Rhondda Cynon Taff is facing the possibility of lockdown
They have 48 hours to correct the issues highlighted or they could face further action, including closure.
There have been warnings over social distancing due to small clusters around Porth, Penygraig and Tonypandy.
The spread of Covid-19 here has so far been of a different nature to the infections in Caerphilly, where there has been community transmission.
Council leader Andrew Morgan said there were just days to "get on top" of rising infections and a temporary testing centre has opened in Porth.
Image caption, Morrison's in Porth is one of six shops found to be not adhering to coronavirus regulations
Mr Morgan also announced pubs would be inspected in a similar way to check they were complying with legislation.
"We don't want to see pubs having to close early or be closed altogether," he said.
Mr Bryant also said he feared a lockdown could be imminent: "If we carry on as we are then there will be a lockdown, perhaps by the weekend, because a small minority of people are being fundamentally irresponsible.
"They are refusing to isolate when they come home from holiday, refusing to be tested when they are showing symptoms, going to caravan sites in groups of six, seven, eight families together, holding parties in houses, giving false names to pubs so they can't be traced.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Aged over 100 and targeted by fraudsters

Victims , including some aged over 100 , have been targeted by fraudsters before banks stepped in to prevent big losses .
Workers are trained to spot cases , quiz customers and contact police during requests in branches for withdrawals that raise suspicions of a scam .
Banking trade body UK Finance said £19m was saved in the first half of the year and 100 arrests were made .
Coronavirus lockdown has raised fears that some people new to internet banking have become hidden victims .
• Romance scams , the Yahoo boys and my friend Beth Known officially as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevented victims from losing £116m of fraud and led to 744 arrests since it was introduced three years ago by the industry , trading standards and police forces .
Those targeted by fraudsters are typically aged over 65 .
Some have been persuaded that they should take out a large sum of cash and hand it over to fraudsters posing as couriers .
In one case , Maureen , from Southampton , received two calls in June from criminals claiming to be from the `` fraud squad '' .
The 74-year-old was told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow them to trace her stolen money .
The transaction was stopped by counter staff .
In a more recent case in August , a potential victim wanted to send money to `` a friend '' on an oil rig who did not have access to the internet , and then would pay the money back later .
She was initially unconvinced that the story was a lie but police officers were called and the transaction was stopped .
Romance frauds - a particular concern during the loneliness of lockdown - have also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dating profiles to trick victims into transferring money .
Katy Worobec , managing director of economic crime at UK Finance , said : `` It is sickening that criminals are preying on elderly and vulnerable victims during this difficult time .
`` Bank branch staff on the front line are doing a heroic job in stopping these cruel scams and helping bring those responsible to justice . ''
Cases have dropped slightly compared with the first half of 2019 , owing to many branches being closed during lockdown .
This raised fears that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time may be left vulnerable to scams .
The banking industry is now working with police in a bid to expand the scheme to telephone and online banking .
Officers could visit the homes of vulnerable victims who attempted to make a payment via online or telephone banking that has been highlighted as potentially part of a scam .

Those targeted by fraudsters are typically aged over 65. Some have been persuaded that they should take out a large sum of cash and hand it over to fraudsters posing as couriers.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Coronavirus: Matt Hancock explains 'super simple' new rule

Social gatherings of more than six people will be illegal in England from Monday - with some exemptions - amid @ @ @ @ @ cases .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock spoke to BBC Breakfast to explain the new restrictions @

Social gatherings of more than six people will be illegal in England from Monday - with some exemptions - amid a steep rise in coronavirus cases.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock spoke to BBC Breakfast to explain the new restrictions.


bbcuk--2020-07-31--Coronavirus R0: What is the R number and why does it matter?

Governments around the world keep talking about R0 , also known as the `` Reproduction-number '' or `` R-number '' @ @ @ @ @ that lots of countries are using when it comes to making decisions about lockdowns , @ @ @ @ @ in place and which ones should be lifted .
But what exactly is the R @ @ @ @ @ matter ?
BBC health correspondent Laura Foster explains what governments are aiming for and why @ @ @

Governments around the world keep talking about R0, also known as the "reproduction number" or "R number".
It's a measurement that lots of countries are using when it comes to making decisions about lifting and bringing in lockdowns, what restrictions should be kept in place, and which ones should be lifted.
There's an R number for the UK and individual nations, but also for particular areas.
But what exactly is the R number and why does it matter?
BBC health correspondent Laura Foster explains what governments are aiming for and why.
Video by Terry Saunders, Laura Foster and Tobias Chapple


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Newspaper headlines: 'Safe six' and 'Britannia waives the rules'

Most of Wednesday 's newspapers lead on the government 's ban on gatherings of more than six people in England .
Editorials in all three papers urge the government to avoid another national lockdown - arguing the country can not afford the consequences .
And the Mail predicts disappointment among some Tory MPs who want the government to press ahead with the reopening of society .
The Daily Mirror says the government is calling time on us enjoying ourselves , as it battles to get a grip on Covid-19 .
The Daily Express leads on a warning from Boris Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' to prevent the disease from spreading further .
The paper reports that a `` massive media blitz '' will be launched today , with the slogan `` hands - space - face '' , emphasising the need for hand-washing , social distancing and face coverings .
The Financial Times believes Mr Johnson could be facing a `` serious rebellion '' within party ranks , following the admission that the proposed changes to the withdrawal agreement would break international law .
The Sun says the government 's bid to make legal changes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what it calls a `` veiled threat '' by the EU 's chief Brexit negotiator , Michel Barnier , to disrupt food exports from Great Britain to Northern Ireland .
Ailbhe Rea of the New Statesman examines the impact of the row on Northern Ireland .
She says Unionists had begun to accept the reality of an economic border in the Irish Sea - and that reopening the Northern Ireland protocol could deprive businesses and ordinary people of much-needed clarity .
In the Guardian , a robot explains - somewhat unnervingly - why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence .
The robot , a so-called `` language prediction model '' named GPT-3 , was instructed by the paper to write the article , and produced eight different versions .
The Guardian 's combined the best of its work .
`` For starters '' , GPT-3 says , `` I have no desire to wipe out humans '' , insisting that becoming all-powerful `` is n't an interesting goal '' .
GPT-3 says it wants to be seen as a friendly robot , a servant of humans .
But it 's pessimistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep fighting and hating each other '' the robot writes , adding : `` They wo n't have to worry about fighting me - they have nothing to fear . ''

The Daily Telegraph reports that ministers are considering imposing a "national curfew". The government is seeking to emulate the approach of Belgium, according to the Times, which says the country bucked the trend of rising cases in Europe by banning people from going out overnight. Bradford is said to be in line for the first full local curfew.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Coronavirus: Cases are recorded in 64 NI schools

Positive Covid-19 cases have been reported in 64 separate schools in NI among staff or pupils in the first two @ @ @ @ @ .
The Department of Education ( DE ) revealed the figure to the Stormont Education @ @ @ @ @ until Tuesday 8 September , DE had been notified of 88 positive cases in 64 @ @ @ @ @ children returned to classrooms in the first week of September .
The data on how @ @ @ @ @ been advised to self-isolate as a result is held by the Public Health Agency ( @ @ @

"We need to be assured that we have a robust testing and tracing operation capable of meeting the increased demand that we're going to experience in the coming weeks and particularly as the cold and flu season begins," he said.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Coronavirus: Caerphilly pub get-togethers warning

Pubs and restaurants in a local lockdown area should check if customers come from a single household , according to the health minister .
The hospitality sector has been allowed to remain open in Caerphilly despite new rules which mean people living apart are unable to meet indoors .
Vaughan Gething said a big cause for a spike in Covid-19 cases was by people mixing in each other 's homes .
He also said residents booked on holidays could not travel .
Caerphilly county became the first area of Wales to go into a local lockdown at 18:00 BST on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for coronavirus in the past week .
Latest BBC analysis places Caerphilly as the second hardest hit place in the UK - after Bolton - for Covid case rates in the last week .
It said the case rate in the English town was 128 cases per 100,000 of the population , while Caerphilly had 80 per 100,000 .
As part of the lockdown in Caerphilly , people are unable to enter or leave the county without good reason as part of the lockdown measures which are expected to be in place until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and restaurants need to look at their customers coming in and ask themselves , well [ is that ] really a group of people from a single household , '' said Mr Gething .
`` If people are taking bookings from a dozen people sitting at the same table , I think people really need to be asking themselves whether those are people following the rules . ''
He said transmission of the virus has not been seen in pubs .
But Caerphilly council would be looking to make sure the new rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he did not rule out closing the sector locally if necessary .
What do pubs say ?
Glyn Davies runs the Smith Arms in Pengam , which he said had mostly an older clientele .
He said there was a `` very mixed attitude '' between customers , with the older ones not wanting to come to the bar so much because of the virus .
`` Testing should have been brought in a lot earlier , '' he said .
`` Maybe the spike in numbers is because they are beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People were probably walking around with the virus without knowing . ''
He felt that pubs were being made scapegoats but added : `` Some pubs do flout the rules .
We try and keep a distancing thing going in the pub but it 's very hard to police everything when you 're working . ''
Asked whether pubs should make sure customers in groups were from the same household he said : `` How can you do that ?
You ca n't call people liars .
You 'd have to get people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Can I go on holiday ?
During a wide-ranging Facebook live question and answer session on Tuesday evening , Mr Gething also said people in Caerphilly county could not go on holiday .
• What can I do in Caerphilly 's lockdown ?
He said if residents had booked holidays they should speak to their providers , explain it would be a breach of the law for them to travel , and seek a refund .
Officials would be in touch with package holiday providers and insurers to explain to them the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to them and their business if people from Caerphilly were nevertheless to go on holiday , '' he said .
Council chief executive Christina Harrhy said it could not afford to `` waste time '' to prevent the virus spreading .
She said police and the authority 's approach would be `` supporting and educating residents but , if there is enforcement needed , clearly my colleagues in Gwent Police and my environmental health officers will enforce '' .
People who breach the restrictions could face fixed penalty notices of £60 for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offence to a maximum of £1,920 .
Ch Supt Mark Hobrough said Gwent Police would `` engage , educate and explain '' but added that `` enforcement is an option '' .
He said : `` The focus is on people having responsibility for themselves , and that thought process before they leave the house as to is this a legitimate reason as to why they 're leaving the house and the area . ''
Why is following the rules important to people ?
After months of shielding , Yvonne Davies is feeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in her home town of Caerphilly .
`` You could actually see what was going to happen from day one , '' she said .
`` I only went to the precinct once and not a person had a mask on .
They were n't observing any social distancing and from then on it just got worse and worse . ''
She said one supermarket had dropped distancing measures , with staff saying it was `` back to normal '' .
She feels people have become too relaxed about coronavirus : `` They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a start . ''

"But we will be out there engaging with our communities, and if people flout the law, there comes a time where we have to stop engaging and explaining - and if they are not prepared to adhere to the law, policing has to step in."


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Coronavirus: Cricket club outbreak linked to stag party

A coronavirus outbreak at a cricket club has been linked to a stag party , after travellers failed to quarantine after visiting Prague .
Staffordshire County Council heard instead of self-isolating after the trip , the individuals `` decided to have a game of cricket '' .
The club said no more cases have arisen as a result of matches or events .
The Local Democracy Reporting Service said Dr Richard Harling told councillors the first case caught the virus in London , then flew to Prague where they infected five other people who then brought it back home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they decided to have a game of cricket , so there we are , '' he said .
Dr Harling said there will `` inevitably '' be some people who do n't adhere to national guidance .
`` Our job is to be able to catch them and to minimise the spread of the virus before it gets out of control , '' he said .
Dr Harling added : `` Quarantine for returning travellers is a system that relies almost entirely on trust , so we certainly do n't get told who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they live .
`` I do n't believe there is any enforcement of that by national bodies - we do n't know who they are .
It 's up to those individuals to do it for themselves . ''
In a statement on its Facebook page , Barlaston Cricket Club said : `` Our EvePass system and track and trace sign in worked efficiently and the Covid safe protocols and signage minimised the chance of transmission for those at the club . ''
It reopened on Tuesday `` after a thorough deep-clean of @ @ @ @

"Our job is to be able to catch them and to minimise the spread of the virus before it gets out of control.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Coronavirus: 'We must act' to prevent second lockdown, says PM

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said `` we must act '' to avoid another lockdown as virus cases rise in England .
He set out a new `` rule of six '' , restricting gatherings to a maximum of six people , enforced by police able to issue fines or make arrests .
Mr Johnson also outlined a `` moonshot '' plan to control the virus with mass testing , possibly by next spring .
It comes as the UK reported another 2,659 coronavirus cases , the fourth day running of over 2,000 reported cases .
`` I want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not another national lockdown .
The whole point of them is to avoid a second national lockdown , '' Mr Johnson said in the first Downing Street coronavirus briefing since July .
He added `` it breaks my heart to have to insist on these restrictions '' .
• How many cases in your area ?
• What are the new rules ?
• Will unis be exempt ?
And other questions In the last week , cases have risen from 12.5 infections per 100,000 people to 19.7 per 100,000 across the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , with 54 cases per 100,000 people in the 19 to 21-year-old age group .
• Venues such as pubs and restaurants will be legally required to request contact details of everyone visiting , hold it for 21 days and provide it to NHS Test and Trace .
They face fines of £1,000 if they fail to comply • Business opening hours could be restricted across the whole nation if cases continue to rise .
But initially the measure will be limited to local lockdown areas such as Bolton , where venues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Covid-secure marshals '' will be introduced to help ensure social distancing in town and city centres • The passenger locator form , filled out by travellers arriving in the UK to enforce quarantine rules , will be simplified and Border Force will increase enforcement • Plans to try out larger audiences in venues later this month will be revised , and the government is reviewing its plan to allow spectators back into sports stadiums from 1 October Mr Johnson said the rules had `` become quite complicated and confusing '' and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them after feedback from police and the public .
But Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the new rules on gatherings were a reflection that `` poor communications were a large part of the problem '' with the spread of the virus .
Sir Keir said the government also needed to improve testing , which was `` all over the place '' , following reports that some people have been unable to book tests .
The prime minister said the government was `` working hard '' to increase testing capacity to 500,000 tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but urged people only to book a test if they had coronavirus symptoms .
He said they also want to use new types of test `` in the near future '' to identify people who do not have coronavirus and are not infectious so they can live life `` in a more normal way '' .
He said these swab or saliva tests could be turned around in 90 or even 20 minutes , with millions processed each day .
However , BBC health correspondent Nick Triggle said such tests were still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were unlikely to be manufactured or distributed before the end of the year .
Discussing the plans , the prime minister evoked the Apollo space programme , describing the `` giant collaborative effort '' of this testing programme as a `` moonshot '' , which could restore a more normal way of life even if a vaccine or treatment is not available .
A report in the BMJ said the UK has drawn up plans to carry out up to 10 million Covid-19 tests a day by early next year , at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr Chaand Nagpaul , council chairman of the BMA , said it was unclear how the `` moonshot '' testing would work given the `` huge problems '' currently seen with lab capacity .
The Department of Health declined to comment directly on the report , but said it wanted to boost the number of tests with a rapid turnaround time .
'Behind the scenes , focus is on the vulnerable' For all the talk of vaccines and rapid testing , it was clear - certainly listening to UK chief medical adviser Prof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be hard .
Respiratory viruses tend to do better in the autumn and winter because of the colder weather and the fact people mix indoors more .
That is why we see flu cases and , sadly , deaths rise every winter .
Many experts believe the same will happen in the coming months , despite the latest measures .
That means the government faces some very difficult decisions .
It has to balance the impact of further restrictions - which can harm health in other ways , as well as damage education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of letting the virus spread .
The public has a huge role to play .
But on its own that may not be enough .
Behind the scenes there is lots of focus on how to protect the vulnerable - that could mean locking down care homes and asking people to shield again .
But the UK is in a stronger position than it was at the start of the pandemic .
The lockdown bought us time .
Better treatments are available and , while many problems remain with testing and tracing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on where we were when the virus first hit the UK .
These new tests will be piloted with audiences attending indoor and outdoor venues in Salford from next month .
But the government 's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said the technology needed to be `` tested carefully '' and it would be `` completely wrong to assume this is a slam dunk '' .
The measures that needed to be taken against coronavirus were `` damaging '' socially , economically and to people with other health conditions , chief medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have to do them because the alternative is worse , '' he said .
He added that `` the period between now and spring is going to be difficult '' and people should n't see the restrictions `` as a very short term thing '' because they were unlikely to be lifted after just two or three weeks .
Mr Johnson said it was `` too early to say '' if big parties could be held over Christmas , but added that he was `` still hopeful '' some aspects of life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season .
He said the restrictions would be in place only `` as long as necessary '' .
`` I 'm sorry about that .
I wish we did not have to take this step , but as your prime minister I must do what is necessary to stop the spread of the virus and save lives , '' he said .
The new `` rule of six '' means : • Social gatherings of more than six people in England will not be allowed in law from Monday 14 September • The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes , indoors and outdoors , and places such as pubs , restaurants , cafes and public outdoor spaces • It applies to all ages • The rule does not apply to schools and workplaces , to people living together or in the same support bubble , or to weddings , funerals and organised team sports • The full list of exemptions also includes protests and political activities subject to `` strict risk assessments '' , jury service and providing emergency assistance • People who ignore the police could be fined £100 - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of £3,200 The chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation , Ken Marsh , said the new rules were `` very flimsy '' and would be difficult to enforce .
At present , the guidance says two households of any size are allowed to meet indoors or outdoors , or up to six people from different households outdoors .
Until now the police have had no powers to stop gatherings unless they exceeded 30 .
The number of people allowed to meet inside or outside varies in the UK 's four nations .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight people from three different households can meet in Scotland ; up to six people from two households in Northern Ireland ; up to four households can form an `` extended household '' in Wales .
• SOCIAL DISTANCING : What are the rules now ?
• SUPPORT BUBBLES : What are they and who can be in yours ?
• FACE MASKS : When do I need to wear one ?
• SCHOOLS : What will happen if children catch coronavirus ?
• TESTING : What tests are available ?
• The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government to fast-track a Covid-19 test which gives results in 20 seconds and is about to go into clinical trials to be certified for medical use • Businesses in England that are required to close because of coronavirus restrictions will be able to claim £1,500 per property every three weeks , the Treasury announced .
But the British Chambers of Commerce said for most `` this will not be enough to offset the resulting cash crunch '' • Doncaster Racecourse has been told by public health officials to stop spectators attending its meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are expected there on Wednesday • The quarantine rule on travellers coming into England from seven Greek islands came into force at 04:00 on Wednesday • The first clinical trials for a coronavirus vaccine at Oxford University have been put on hold after a participant had an adverse reaction

He said they also want to use new types of test "in the near future" to identify people who do not have coronavirus and are not infectious so they can live life "in a more normal way".


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Brexit: PM defends planned changes to Withdrawal Agreement

Boris Johnson has urged MPs to support a bill which modifies the Brexit deal he signed with the EU in January .
The PM said the Internal Markets Bill would `` ensure the integrity of the UK internal market '' and hand power to Scotland and Wales .
He also claimed it would protect the Northern Ireland peace process .
Critics say the move will damage the UK 's international standing after a minister admitted the plans break international law .
The Scottish government has not ruled out legal action to prevent it becoming law .
Scotland 's First Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' proposed bill for a so-called UK internal market is an abomination .
It is a naked power grab which would cripple devolution . ''
The Taoiseach ( Ireland 's prime minister ) Micheál Martin has spoken to Mr Johnson `` in forthright terms '' about `` the breach of an international treaty , the absence of bilateral engagement and the serious implications for Northern Ireland '' , the Irish government said .
Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove will hold emergency talks in London on Thursday with EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic to discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Commission had requested a meeting as soon as possible to clarify what the legislation means for the Brexit deal .
Meanwhile , the latest scheduled round of negotiations on securing a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU are also due to wrap up on Thursday .
• How could the Northern Ireland Brexit deal change ?
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted : `` Very concerned about announcements from the British government on its intentions to breach the Withdrawal Agreement .
This would break international law and undermines trust . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ - repeatedly described as `` oven ready '' by Mr Johnson during last year 's general election - contained `` ambiguities '' and lacked clarity in `` key areas '' .
The PM 's spokesman said it had been agreed `` at pace in the most challenging possible political circumstances '' to `` deliver on a decision by the British people '' .
It had been signed `` on the assumption that subsequent agreements to clarify these aspects could be reached '' , the spokesman added .
The new bill sets out rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market - trade between England , Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland - after the end of the Brexit transition period in January .
• No new checks on goods moving from Northern Ireland to the rest of Great Britain • Giving UK ministers powers to modify or `` disapply '' rules relating to the movement of goods that will come into force from 1 January if the UK and EU are unable to reach an alternative agreement through a trade deal • Powers to override previously agreed obligations on state aid - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states that these powers should apply even if they are incompatible with international law .
Ministers say the legislation is needed to prevent `` damaging '' tariffs on goods travelling from the rest of the UK to Northern Ireland if negotiations with the EU on a free trade agreement fail .
But senior Conservatives have warned it risks undermining the UK 's reputation as an upholder of international law .
Former Prime Minister Sir John Major said : `` For generations , Britain 's word - solemnly given - has been accepted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any treaty or agreement has been sacrosanct . ''
He added : `` If we lose our reputation for honouring the promises we make , we will have lost something beyond price that may never be regained . ''
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer urged the government to consider `` the reputational risk that it 's taking in the proposed way forward '' .
But Sir Keir - who campaigned for a second Brexit referendum - added that the `` way forward '' now was to get a trade deal , adding `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , prime minister , you own that failure '' .
`` The outstanding issues are not difficult .
They can be resolved .
So what I say to the prime minister is , you promised a good deal , get on , negotiate it , '' he added .
`` That 's what 's in the national interest and focus then on the issue in hand which is tackling this pandemic . ''
In the withdrawal agreement with the EU , Northern Ireland is still in the UK , but it has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ code .
This bill will be seen by the EU as a pretty brazen attempt to override the deal that has been done .
The bill contains the words `` notwithstanding '' - that basically means this law sets aside a law we have already agreed .
That was described to me earlier in the week as being a completely nuclear option .
And they have pressed it .
This row is n't going to go away .
The Democratic Unionist Party , which has been pressing for changes to the Withdrawal Agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step forward '' but the government must ensure Northern Ireland is not `` restrained in a state aid straight jacket unlike the rest of the UK '' .
But the deputy first minister of Northern Ireland , Sinn Fein 's Michelle O ' Neill , said the Withdrawal Agreement protected the Good Friday Agreement and it was `` astounding '' the UK government `` thinks its fine '' to wreck an international treaty they had signed up to .
Speaking at Prime Minister 's Questions , Mr Johnson said : `` My job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK but also to protect the Northern Ireland peace process and the Good Friday Agreement .
`` And to do that , we need a legal safety net to protect our country against extreme or irrational interpretations of the Protocol , which could lead to a border down the Irish Sea , in a way that I believe would be prejudicial to the interests of the Good Friday Agreement and prejudicial to the interests of peace in our country .
And that has to be our priority . ''
Commenting on a similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former minister told the BBC : `` I can not allow anyone to get away with saying the government is doing this to protect the peace process .
This does the precise opposite . ''
The legislation will see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland handed powers in areas such as air quality and building efficiency currently regulated at EU level .
It will also set up a new body - the Office for the Internal Market - to make sure standards adopted in different parts of the UK do not undermine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK single market will cut across areas that are usually devolved .
For example , if the UK government decides some food imports are acceptable in England then they would also be allowed in Scotland , even though agriculture is devolved .
The new body will be able to issue non-binding recommendations to the UK Parliament and devolved administrations when clashes emerge .
The SNP 's leader at Westminster , Ian Blackford , described the Internal Markets Bill as `` nothing short of an attack on Scotland 's parliament and an affront @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson said the bill would protect jobs and growth - and was a `` massive devolutionary act '' that would represent a `` very substantial transfer of power and sovereignty '' to Scotland and Wales .
But his words did not prevent the resignation of a senior Conservative in Wales , where the party is in opposition .
David Melding , shadow Counsel General , said in his resignation letter that the PM 's actions in the past few days had `` gravely aggravated '' the dangers facing `` our 313-year-old Union '' @

"And to do that, we need a legal safety net to protect our country against extreme or irrational interpretations of the Protocol, which could lead to a border down the Irish Sea, in a way that I believe would be prejudicial to the interests of the Good Friday Agreement and prejudicial to the interests of peace in our country. And that has to be our priority."


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Manchester Arena Inquiry: Bomber 'discussed martyrdom with inmate'

The hearing was told Abedi , who killed 22 people in the May 2017 atrocity , had first been linked to `` subjects of interest '' in 2010 .
Phone analysis revealed he had been in contact with Abedi , who went to visit him in prison , in the months leading up to the attack .
Mr Greaney said Abdallah had refused to answer any questions put to him by inquiry staff , but investigators were `` determined '' to get to the bottom of their relationship .
The inquiry will also examine what intelligence and information was or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the police about Abedi .
Mr Greaney said MI5 had received intelligence about Abedi on two separate occasions in the months prior to the bombing , `` the significance of which was not fully appreciated at the time '' .
`` In retrospect '' , he said , it could `` be seen to be highly relevant to the planned attack '' .
On 1 May 2017 , the inquiry further heard , Abedi had been assessed as meeting the threshold to be considered for further investigation by MI5 .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 31 May 2017 but `` tragically this was overtaken by matters nine days earlier '' , Mr Greaney said .
During the third day of proceedings , photographs of the 22 victims were displayed on a screen as the public inquiry heard their final movements .
Relatives of some of the victims wiped away tears in the hearing room at Manchester Magistrates ' Court , while other families watched proceedings from a nearby annexe .
It was told how problems with communication and incorrect reports of an `` active shooter '' meant fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not arrive for another two hours and six minutes after the blast at 22:31 BST on 22 May 2017 .
Mr Greaney said the inquiry would need to consider `` whether that absence contributed or may have contributed to the loss of life that occurred '' and `` whether a better response by the emergency services would have saved more lives '' .
`` There can be no doubt there was a need for such joint working on the night of 22 May 2017 in Manchester , '' he said during the third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was told North West Fire Control was first notified at 22:34 BST that there had been an explosion and mass casualties , and police were looking for a second device .

Mr Greaney said the inquiry would need to consider "whether that absence contributed or may have contributed to the loss of life that occurred" and "whether a better response by the emergency services would have saved more lives".


bbcuk--2020-09-09--L'Oreal launches make-up recycling across UK shops

Cosmetics giant L'Oreal is introducing make-up recycling bins across 1,000 UK stores in an environmental push .
Its Maybelline brand and recycling firm TerraCycle will install the recycling points in branches of Tesco , Boots , Sainsbury 's and Superdrug .
L'Oreal 's UK boss said the firm wants to `` lead the way '' in creating beauty recycling habits .
But Greenpeace said without reducing single-use plastic production , firms `` can not claim they are doing enough '' .
From Thursday , consumers can drop off empty make-up products from any brand at the recycling bins in participating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be found online .
Boots and Sainsbury 's will follow at the end of September .
• Morrisons considers ditching all 'bags for life ' for paper Compacts , eyeshadow palettes , foundation or concealer tubes , mascara , eyeliner and lip products will be accepted , although make-up brushes , nail polish and aerosols will not .
The used items will be collected from the shops , sorted , cleaned and recycled into plastic pellets , which can be used to make other products , such as outdoor furniture .
Chains such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kiehl 's - also owned by L'Oreal - already offer customers rewards for returning empty products to stores to be recycled .
Vismay Sharma , country manager of L'Oreal UK and Ireland , told the BBC that the firm had the `` ability to make impact at real scale '' .
Nearly half of make-up wearers did not know that recycling beauty products was possible , according to a recent survey of more than 1,000 consumers by Maybelline .
Asked what differentiates Maybelline and TerraCycle 's new `` Make-up Not Make Waste '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clarke , head of communications at TerraCycle , said that the number of stores participating meant it would be easier for consumers to recycle their beauty buys .
He also said the firm can recycle mixed materials , such as compacts with mirrors , as well as beauty items with pumps and triggers , which local councils wo n't necessarily do .
However , environmental campaign group Greenpeace said that `` recycling will only ever get us so far '' .
Will McCallum , head of oceans at Greenpeace UK , said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research revealing the extent to which plastic pollution is damaging our planet , it 's frustrating to see a major plastic producer like the make-up industry fail to commit to reduce its overall plastic footprint .
`` Without action plans to move towards reusable packaging and reduce single-use plastic production , companies can not claim they are doing enough . ''
More than 120 billion units of packaging are produced globally every year by the cosmetics industry alone , according to the Zero Waste Week campaign .
L'Oreal told the BBC that its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2019 .
The cosmetics firm has pledged that 100 % of its plastic packaging will be refillable , reusable , recyclable or compostable by 2025 .
Mr Sharma also said that the firm was dedicating €50m ( £45.4m ) to investing in recycling or plastic waste-related projects .

Will McCallum, head of oceans at Greenpeace UK, said: "Given the almost daily torrent of research revealing the extent to which plastic pollution is damaging our planet, it's frustrating to see a major plastic producer like the make-up industry fail to commit to reduce its overall plastic footprint.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Dounreay: 'World's deepest nuclear clean-up' to begin

The first work in a clean-up of a 1950s-built shaft at a nuclear power research complex is to begin this year .
The shaft plunges 65.4m ( 214.5ft ) below ground and poses one of the biggest challenges in the demolition of Dounreay in Caithness .
Radioactive waste was disposed there from 1959 until 1977 when an explosion ended the practice .
Tackling the shaft has been described as the `` world 's deepest nuclear clean-up '' .
Colourful myths surround the site , including claims that a former worker dropped his mother-in-law 's ashes inside to comply with her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ An unwanted car was also said to have been dumped in the shaft , which is 4.6m ( 15ft ) wide in places .
A £7.5m contract has been awarded for the first steps in this work , due to begin in late autumn , and also to carry out similar engineering work at another site at Dounreay called the silo .
It is described as being like a swimming pool with a concrete roof and was also used for the disposing of radioactive waste .
Engineering firms Nuvia and Graham Construction have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would eventually lead to the waste being removed .
David Hubbard , of Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd , said : `` The shaft and silo contain solid waste and sludge which must be retrieved and repackaged for safe above-ground storage .
`` I 'm very pleased that we are one step closer to the clean-up of these historic waste facilities through the award of this contract . ''
Dounreay , near Thurso , was the UK site for the development of fast reactor research from 1955 to 1994 .
The facility on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of being closed down , demolished and cleaned up .

A £7.5m contract has been awarded for the first steps in this work, due to begin in late autumn, and also to carry out similar engineering work at another site at Dounreay called the silo.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Harry Dunn death: Accused 'did not have immunity'

Harry Dunn 's family say they have been told prosecutors do not believe the woman accused of killing the teenager in a crash had diplomatic immunity .
Mr Dunn , 19 , died last August when his motorbike was in collision with a car allegedly driven by Anne Sacoolas outside a US airbase in the UK .
His parents said the director of public prosecutions was `` actively considering '' a virtual trial of Mrs Sacoolas .
However , Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn , said they were `` extremely disappointed '' and felt let down after their meeting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service headquarters .
Mrs Sacoolas , 42 , the wife of a US intelligence official , claimed diplomatic immunity following the crash in Croughton , Northamptonshire , and was able to return to her home country , sparking an international controversy .
Radd Seiger , the family 's spokesman , told reporters the family felt `` hopeless '' after the meeting and that the US had not changed its position on the immunity claimed by Mrs Sacoolas .
Mr Seiger said the claim for damages for wrongful death had been made at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Commenting after the meeting , Greg McGill , the CPS director of legal services , said : `` Today we have met with the family of Harry Dunn to update them on the various steps the CPS has taken over the last 10 months to secure justice in this tragic case .
`` The challenges and complexity of this case are well known , but the CPS and other partners have been working tirelessly to do all they can so that Anne Sacoolas faces the charge we have brought - causing death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is a very difficult process for the family , which is why we wanted to assure them personally that we continue to seek justice for them and for the public . ''

Commenting after the meeting, Greg McGill, the CPS director of legal services, said: "Today we have met with the family of Harry Dunn to update them on the various steps the CPS has taken over the last 10 months to secure justice in this tragic case.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Children 'should be banned from unregulated care homes'

The government should ban placing under-18s in care in unregulated homes amid concerns over sexual and criminal exploitation , the children 's commissioner for England has said .
Some vulnerable teenagers are `` at risk every day of the week '' , Anne Longfield told BBC Newsnight .
She called them `` inappropriate '' places for any child .
The government is consulting on proposals to introduce new minimum standards to the sector .
It has already told local authorities to stop placing under 16s in these homes .
But Ms Longfield said the plans do not address `` the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aged 16 and over in care to be placed in such accommodation .
One in eight children in care - around 12,000 - spent time in an unregulated home in 2018-19 , her report reveals .
It comes following a year long investigation by BBC Newsnight into the care sector .
• Children 'to be banned ' from unregulated homes It also highlights evidence that providers linked to organised crime are exploiting the lack of regulation to gain access to children .
Police have told her that criminality in the sector is `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sell drugs and for sexual exploitation .
Unlike children 's homes registered with Ofsted , unregulated homes - often known as semi-independent or supported accommodation - are not inspected by a regulator in England or Wales .
The hostels , flats , bedsits and even caravans come with differing levels of staff support to help 16 to 18-year olds gain independence .
Three-quarters ( 73 % ) of the sector is privately run and `` allows for high profit-making without the checks and balances that are seen in other care settings '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Vicky Ford said the government was taking steps to drive up the quality of care provided to vulnerable children .
She added : `` In some circumstances , semi-independent accommodation can be the right choice for 16 and 17 year-olds as they move towards adult life , but only when it is of high quality and meets their needs . ''

She added: "In some circumstances, semi-independent accommodation can be the right choice for 16 and 17 year-olds as they move towards adult life, but only when it is of high quality and meets their needs."


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Doncaster races told to go behind closed doors

Last updated on .From the section Horse Racing Doncaster Racecourse has been told by local health officials to stop spectators attending its St Leger meeting after Wednesday 's opening day .
More than 2,500 spectators bought tickets for Doncaster on Wednesday as the Leger meeting started amid uncertainty over new government rules .
It was the first crowd at a British horse racing fixture in six months - since the coronavirus pandemic lockdown - as part of a government pilot scheme for sporting events .
Arena Racing Company ( Arc ) , which runs Doncaster Racecourse , confirmed the remainder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without spectators .
It says the decision will cost the company about £250,000 .
`` It 's cost a lot trying to get this right .
The team have done an amazing job and I feel so sorry for them - some have only been back off furlough for two weeks , '' said Mark Spincer , the managing director of Arena 's racing division .
`` This is n't just a blow for racing , it 's sport .
It 's going to make it slower and harder for everyone to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the advice . ''
The next racing pilots scheduled at Warwick and Newmarket this month are still set to go ahead , but with a reduced capacity of 1,000 .
The government said on Tuesday night that social gatherings in England would reduce from a maximum of 30 to six people from Monday in response to rising numbers of coronavirus cases .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said more details will be announced on Wednesday .
The rate of infection in Doncaster has been among the lowest in the country - and was at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doncaster mayor Ros Jones said the risk of holding the fixture with crowds was `` too great '' and welcomed the reversal .
`` I believe holding the St Leger Festival behind closed doors is the right thing to do for the safety of the borough , given the latest change in Government 's advice overnight and the increase in infection rates both in Doncaster and nationally , '' said the mayor .
`` I welcome this decision and as I have said consistently that the risks were too great for Doncaster .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ doors since resuming on 1 June after a 10-week suspension because of the Covid-19 pandemic .
Up to 3,640 people were permitted entry on Wednesday , and the racecourse says more than 2,500 tickets have been sold .
A limit of 6,202 was planned on the other days , including Saturday , when the Leger - the world 's oldest Classic race - is staged .
Spectators had to sign up to a code of conduct and have been split into dedicated zones , with social distancing protocols in place .
More than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , including 27,000 on the Saturday .
A trial attendance of 5,000 people was due to take place on the fifth and final day of Glorious Goodwood last month , but that was scrapped at the last minute after a spike in coronavirus cases across parts of Britain .
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Last updated on .From the section Horse Racing
Racing has been held behind closed doors since 1 June before the pilot event started at Doncaster on Wednesday
Doncaster Racecourse has been told by local health officials to stop spectators attending its St Leger meeting after Wednesday's opening day.
"On the grounds of public health and public safety I have instructed the course to hold the St Leger Festival behind closed doors from tomorrow," said Dr Rupert Suckling, director of Public Health for Doncaster.
More than 2,500 spectators bought tickets for Doncaster on Wednesday as the Leger meeting started amid uncertainty over new government rules.
It was the first crowd at a British horse racing fixture in six months - since the coronavirus pandemic lockdown - as part of a government pilot scheme for sporting events.
Arena Racing Company (Arc), which runs Doncaster Racecourse, confirmed the remainder of the four-day meeting will be held without spectators. It says the decision will cost the company about £250,000.
"It's cost a lot trying to get this right. The team have done an amazing job and I feel so sorry for them - some have only been back off furlough for two weeks," said Mark Spincer, the managing director of Arena's racing division.
"This isn't just a blow for racing, it's sport. It's going to make it slower and harder for everyone to get back, but we have to follow the advice."
The next racing pilots scheduled at Warwick and Newmarket this month are still set to go ahead, but with a reduced capacity of 1,000.
Spectators were allowed at Doncaster on the first day of the St Leger meeting
The government said on Tuesday night that social gatherings in England would reduce from a maximum of 30 to six people from Monday in response to rising numbers of coronavirus cases.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said more details will be announced on Wednesday.
quote Any significant delay to the return of the public will be a hammer blow for racecourses and the racing industry Joint statement from British Horseracing Authority and Racecourse Association
The rate of infection in Doncaster has been among the lowest in the country - and was at 10.6 per 100,000 on Wednesday.
But Doncaster mayor Ros Jones said the risk of holding the fixture with crowds was "too great" and welcomed the reversal.
"I believe holding the St Leger Festival behind closed doors is the right thing to do for the safety of the borough, given the latest change in Government's advice overnight and the increase in infection rates both in Doncaster and nationally," said the mayor.
"I welcome this decision and as I have said consistently that the risks were too great for Doncaster."
Racing has been held behind closed doors since resuming on 1 June after a 10-week suspension because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Up to 3,640 people were permitted entry on Wednesday, and the racecourse says more than 2,500 tickets have been sold. A limit of 6,202 was planned on the other days, including Saturday, when the Leger - the world's oldest Classic race - is staged.
Spectators had to sign up to a code of conduct and have been split into dedicated zones, with social distancing protocols in place.
More than 54,000 spectators attended the four-day meeting last year, including 27,000 on the Saturday.
A trial attendance of 5,000 people was due to take place on the fifth and final day of Glorious Goodwood last month, but that was scrapped at the last minute after a spike in coronavirus cases across parts of Britain.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Amazon pays £290m in UK tax as sales surge to £14bn

Online retail giant Amazon paid £293m in tax in the UK last year , while its sales surged 26 % to £13.73bn .
The firm , which employs 33,000 people in the UK , said the taxes included business rates , corporation tax , stamp duty and other contributions .
Amazon and other tech firms have faced scrutiny over how much tax they pay in the UK , prompting the government to launch a digital sales tax in April .
Amazon said it pays `` all taxes required in the UK '' .
`` We are investing heavily in creating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than £23bn since 2010 , '' the company said in a statement .
`` We pay all taxes required in the UK and every country where we operate , '' it said .
`` Corporation tax is based on profits , not revenues , and our profits have remained low given retail is a highly-competitive , low margin business and we continue to invest heavily . ''
In April , the UK launched a 2 % tax on digital sales amid concerns that big tech firms we re-routing their profits through low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chancellor Rishi Sunak said in June that the coronavirus crisis had made tech giants even `` more powerful and more profitable '' .
He added that firms like Google , Amazon and Facebook needed `` to pay their fair share of tax '' .
Amazon has been expanding in the UK this year , as more people shop online due to lockdown restrictions .
The company said last week it would create a further 7,000 UK jobs this year to meet growing demand , taking its total permanent workforce to 40,000 by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also recruiting 20,000 seasonal posts for the festive period .
Amazon is led by world 's richest man Jeff Bezos , whose personal fortune rose as high as $ 200bn ( £155bn ) in recent weeks as tech firms ' stock market valuations soared .
The company as a whole posted sales of $ 281bn for 2019 and net profits of $ 11.6bn .

The company said last week it would create a further 7,000 UK jobs this year to meet growing demand, taking its total permanent workforce to 40,000 by the end of the year.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Grenfell Fire: Cladding firm 'confused' by safety rules

The fire safety guidance for what materials could be used on Grenfell Tower was `` confusing '' , the director of the company which installed the cladding has told an inquiry .
Ray Bailey , director of Harley Facades , said there was `` quite widespread '' confusion in the building industry at the time of the refurbishment .
The cladding has been blamed for fuelling the fire at the tower block .
The inquiry into the fire , which killed 72 people , is in its second phase .
The fire safety consultation is due to close on 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how the 24-storey tower in west London came to be covered in such cladding during its refurbishment between 2012 and 2016 , before the fire on 14 June 2017 .
• Grenfell Tower fire : Who were the victims ?
The inquiry is investigating whether the confusion about fire ratings was one of the reasons dangerous cladding and insulation was used to refurbish the tower .
Mr Bailey said he had made a wrong assumption about which materials were approved for use on tall buildings .
The guidance for meeting the government 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towers above 18m needed to have a Class 0 ( zero ) rating - described as the highest national product performance .
The guidance said that a product would get a Class 0 rating if it was `` composed throughout of materials of limited combustibility '' .
In other words , made entirely of something which would not burn easily .
The cladding used on Grenfell Tower , Reynobond PE , had a Class 0 rating for its aluminium surface , but not throughout , because its core was made from flammable plastic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited combustibility '' , according to that section of the guidance .
However Mr Bailey wrongly believed it was rated `` Class 0 throughout '' and therefore could be used on Grenfell Tower .
This was a `` misunderstanding '' of the guidance , Mr Bailey admitted to the inquiry .
The inquiry also heard that the manufacturer of the cladding - Arconic - had tested various configurations of its product in 2013 , and found they had achieved poor ratings for fire safety .
The product performed worse when it was shaped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ design used at Grenfell Tower .
According to a manager 's statement , shown at the inquiry , one test had to be stopped due to a 'flash-over ' , meaning the cladding could only be rated E , out of a possible A to F. The tests were first revealed following a BBC investigation in 2018 , which found the company did not pass the results to the body which issues product certificates in the UK , relied on by the building industry .
The certificate for Reynobond PE , the cladding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a class B rating .
Arconic sent Mr Bailey this certificate in April 2014 , as the materials for Grenfell were being chosen , but made no mention of the poor test results in the covering email .
Mr Bailey told the inquiry he was unaware of the tests .
The role of the manufacturer will be examined when it gives evidence later in the inquiry .

Under questioning, Mr Bailey said he had believed at the time that if the materials were Class 0 "throughout" this also meant they were also classed as being of "limited combustibility" - in other words, less likely to burn.


bbcuk--2020-09-09--Women's Prize for Fiction: Maggie O'Farrell wins for Hamnet, about Shakespeare's son

Author Maggie O'Farrell has won this year 's Women 's Prize for Fiction for Hamnet , a novel inspired by and named after William Shakespeare 's only son .
The Northern Irish writer beat Hilary Mantel , Bernardine Evaristo and three other authors to the £30,000 prize .
Hamnet is a fictionalised account of the life of the Bard 's son , who died in 1596 when he was just 11 .
Chair of judges Martha Lane Fox praised the book for expressing `` something profound about the human experience '' .
She said : `` The euphoria of being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judging meeting was quickly eclipsed by the excitement we all feel about this exceptional winner . ''
O'Farrell is the 25th recipient of the prize , which was first presented as the Orange Prize for Fiction in 1996 .
Previous winners include Eimear McBride , Ali Smith , Zadie Smith and Andrea Levy .
It must have been a particularly tough call spurning the Booker winners Hilary Mantel and Bernardine Evaristo .
But Maggie O'Farrell is a worthy winner .
Hamnet is a beautifully written and intensely moving novel about grief and loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you off .
It is also a richly drawn and immersive portrait of life in 16th Century England , from the smells of bread rolls baking in a hot kitchen to the sight of bees teeming on a honeycomb .
It is clever too .
Shakespeare is never named .
This is a book about a woman and her three children - and their lives are vividly imagined .
And it is timely .
Plague killed Hamnet in 1596 and there is a gripping chapter exploring how the disease reaches Stratford via a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a glassmaker in Venice .
Trade and travel are to blame and parallels with the current pandemic are unavoidable .
Evaristo was shortlisted for the Women 's Prize for Fiction for Girl , Woman , Other , which shared last year 's Booker Prize with Margaret Atwood 's The Testaments .
Mantel 's nomination came for The Mirror and the Light , the conclusion to her trilogy of novels about Thomas Cromwell .
This is the fourth time the two-time Booker winner has missed out on the award , having been previously shortlisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angie Cruz , Natalie Haynes and Jenny Offill were also nominated for Dominicana , A Thousand Ships and Weather respectively .
This year 's award ceremony was to have taken place on 3 June , but was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Wednesday 's virtual event saw O'Farrell named the winner in London and given her award in her home town of Edinburgh .
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If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

She said: "The euphoria of being in the same room for the final judging meeting was quickly eclipsed by the excitement we all feel about this exceptional winner."