live from london, this is bbc news. the british army is stood down after hundreds of officers stood down from duty when a colleague was charged with murder. scenes of panic and chaos as more people leave nagorno—karabakh for armenia following azerbaijan's seizure of the disputed territory. the england and wales cricket board lays out plans to address institutional racism, sexism and classism — after a damning report into the sport earlier this year. ukraine claims as many as 3a russian officers were killed in a missile strike on the black sea naval headquarters in occupied crimea last friday among them the black sea fleet. and us screenwriters reach a tentative deal with studio bosses, which could end a five—month strike.

hello, i'm matthew amroliwala, welcome to verified live, three hours of breaking stories, and checking out the truth behind them. the british army has been stood down from supporting the metropolitan police after hundreds of officers stepped back from firearms duties. the prime minister has said armed officers need clarity about their legal powers. rishi sunak was backing a home office review, after a metropolitan police officer was charged with murdering a 24—year—old man, chris kaba, in south london last year. earlier, the bbc was told up to 300 officers had turned in permits allowing them to carry weapons over the weekend. here's our home affairs correspondent, tom symonds. this morning, routine police patrols around westminster remained noticeably armed. the metropolitan police says it has enough officers willing to carry out routine firearms duties. but carrying a gun for the police is a voluntaryjob and sources say up to 300 met

officers have handed in their ticket. scotland yard wouldn't confirm it. the shooting of chris kaba last september and the announcement of a murder charge of an unarmed officer triggered the protest. the association for armed forces is worried that its members aren't supported. i can't understand why that can't be a person who says you're innocent until proven guilty. we will support your family and let justice prevail and take its course, and at least show some support to these officers. they will back off straightaway at the moment. unless we shoot a terrorist and then everyone is happy. the investigation into the shooting in north london to prevent an escape from a prison van began in 2015 but was only resolved last year. a major concern is the length

of time officers are under suspicion. they train very hard to do a good job, and they are concerned that, to be honest, it is not really worth it any more, the risk to them and their liberty and families is just too great. more than 100 of the most highly trained counterterrorism officers have given up their weapons, the bbc has been told. the met had to ask the military to cover any potential response to incidents on the weekend. the government will review the speed and complexity of investigations following shootings. when they are using these lethal powers it is important they do so with confidence and legal clarity. that is why the home secretary has asked them to review the guidance that we have that governs this, to ensure it commands the confidence officers and the wider public. but an inquiry into the culture of the met police this year raised concerns about attitudes in the kinds of

police teams which carry weapons. she singled out armed officers and the elite squads as having an attitude they were somehow above the law and they should be given special dispensation. this should be part of the task of the met police, to tackle back. this protest by officers goes further than previous ones and there is concern in policing about whether it can be resolved. live now to east london to speak to dr leroy logan, former superintendent in the metropolitan police. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. your reaction to what we've been seeing from these firearms officers. i been seeing from these firearms officers. . ., , . officers. i am really concerned these officers _ officers. i am really concerned these officers are _ officers. i am really concerned these officers are believing . officers. i am really concernedl these officers are believing this officers. i am really concerned . these officers are believing this is these officers are believing this is the only way to air their concerns.

what we don't want is military officers patrolling the streets of london in a similar way we saw in the 19805 and 19905 in northern ireland. and i think officers really need to remind them5elve5 ireland. and i think officers really need to remind themselves of the metropolitan police is in a bad state, public trust and confidence is in good, and this action is going to make it worse. reinforce perceptions they feel they are per5ecuted heroe5, being petulant and childish. that is the last thing they want to put acro55. the best thing i suggest is your grievances through the home office, through the commissioner, but get back to work. commi55ioner, but get back to work. we heard in that report from tom a former firearms officer talking about ed not being worth the risk any more to be one of the firearms team, the risk of years of

investigation if they do fire a shot, the impact on mental health, theirfamilie5. do you shot, the impact on mental health, their families. do you sympathise with that thought and recognise it? i recognise it but they know what they sign up to when they become firearms officers, and specialist officers. it is part of the selection process, part of the rigorous training. it is risk and rigorou5 training. it is risk and rewards. the reward is it is a very reward5. the reward is it is a very specialised, looked up to by their colleagues, a lot of kudo5, a lot of colleague5, a lot of kudo5, a lot of trappings, going into critical incidents i5 trappings, going into critical incidents is seen as a real sort of opportunity of developing. if that's the way you want to do policing. they need to know there is a short box. ., , ., box. you will see what the prime minister said. _ box. you will see what the prime minister said. is _ box. you will see what the prime minister said. is there _ box. you will see what the prime minister said. is there a - box. you will see what the prime minister said. is there a need - box. you will see what the prime minister said. is there a need forj minister said. is there a need for

any more legal clarity of exactly the position, the rules the5e police officers work under? i the position, the rules these police officers work under?— the position, the rules these police officers work under? i know there's an issue, officers work under? i know there's an issue. the _ officers work under? i know there's an issue, the iop _ officers work under? i know there's an issue, the iop see, _ officers work under? i know there's an issue, the iop see, and - officers work under? i know there's an issue, the iop see, and even . officers work under? i know there's| an issue, the iop see, and even the personal 5tandard5, an issue, the iop see, and even the per5onal5tandards, how an issue, the iop see, and even the personal 5tandard5, how they take things forward and how the cps look5 things forward and how the cps looks at things. in terms of processes and practices, the legislation as well. these things i believe have been put in place in the past. let me say, these officers are taking this action having threatened to do it in 2011 were the mark duggan i55ue action having threatened to do it in 2011 were the mark duggan issue when an officer may have faced the courts. they didn't use it because he didn't go to court. 0n courts. they didn't use it because he didn't go to court. on this occasion they decided to pull out this tactic, which i think is unprofessional and shouldn't be done, and i5 unprofessional and shouldn't be done, and is holding people to ransom. ., , y

done, and is holding people to ransom. ., , , ransom. hopefully it will. soon. what do you _ ransom. hopefully it will. soon. what do you make _ ransom. hopefully it will. soon. what do you make of _ ransom. hopefully it will. soon. what do you make of the - ransom. hopefully it will. soon. - what do you make of the intervention of the home secretary, given that allow criminal case, and the intervention of the commissioner? it is interesting the former director of prosecution spoke to the bbc and said the commissioner needs to provide evidence for claims of glaring unfairne55. provide evidence for claims of glaring unfairness. absolutely. spot on. the commissioner _ glaring unfairness. absolutely. spot on. the commissioner and - glaring unfairness. absolutely. spot on. the commissioner and the - glaring unfairness. absolutely. spot| on. the commissioner and the home secretary need to understand if interfering in this way can prejudice proper trial at the old bailey for the officer facing the murder case. you don't want to influence a jury. unless you come up with what is so wrong, and lo and behold this has been highlighted when an officer is going to court. it wasn't done beforehand. that is why people think it has been petulant, childi5h and unprofessional. get back to work, theseissues

unprofessional. get back to work, these issues have been raised and we can't allow our streets to be patrolled by military officers like in northern ireland. fix, patrolled by military officers like in northern ireland.— patrolled by military officers like in northern ireland. a final quick thou~ht in northern ireland. a final quick thought on _ in northern ireland. a final quick thought on where _ in northern ireland. a final quick thought on where you _ in northern ireland. a final quick thought on where you finished, i in northern ireland. a final quick i thought on where you finished, the potential for the army covering some of these roles. garters are backed away a little over the last day, but what troubles you about that potential?— what troubles you about that otential? ., ., ., , potential? clearly you are troubled. that is the last — potential? clearly you are troubled. that is the last thing _ potential? clearly you are troubled. that is the last thing we _ potential? clearly you are troubled. that is the last thing we want. - potential? clearly you are troubled. that is the last thing we want. i - potential? clearly you are troubled. that is the last thing we want. i do | that is the last thing we want. i do think anyone needs it. the met has a bad enough reputation, so much misconduct of over 1000 officers on gardening leave or misconduct hearing5. more than likely investigations a5 hearing5. more than likely investigations as well. this is the last thing they want. we need to reassure the public. trust and confidence is rock bottom. this action isju5t confidence is rock bottom. this action is just making confidence is rock bottom. this action isju5t making people believe they are not police officers, they

aren't public servants, they are a law unto them5elve5 aren't public servants, they are a law unto themselves who do what they want and they can be petulant and childish. we want and they can be petulant and childish. ~ ., ., ., childish. we will have to leave it, but thank you _ childish. we will have to leave it, but thank you for _ childish. we will have to leave it, but thank you for your _ childish. we will have to leave it, but thank you for your time. - childish. we will have to leave it, but thank you for your time. you | childish. we will have to leave it, i but thank you for your time. you are welcome. there have been scenes of panic and confusion — a5 a growing number of ethnic armenian refugees try to leave nagorno—kara bakh. it follows azerbaijan's seizure of this disputed region. road5 leading towards the armenian border, are jammed with traffic, amid fears of persecution and ethnic clean5ing. armenia reckons about 5,000 people have crossed the border since the enclave was captured by azerbaijani forces last week. the territory is at the heart of one of the world's longest—running conflicts. nagorno—karabakh lies in the mountainous south cauca5u5 region of eastern europe and asia — between the black sea and the caspian sea. it's recognised internationally as part of azerbaijan, but has been controlled by ethnic armenians for three decades live now to bbc verify

and nick beake. take u5 take us through what you've been looking at. we take us through what you've been lookin: at. ~ ., take us through what you've been lookin: at. ~ . ., ~ ., take us through what you've been lookin. at_ . ., ., ~' ., ., looking at. we are talking about one ofthe looking at. we are talking about one of the longest-running _ looking at. we are talking about one of the longest-running conflicts - looking at. we are talking about one of the longest-running conflicts in i of the longest—running conflicts in the world. it isn't often in the headlines but once again attention is on nagorno—karabakh. with warnings there could potentially be concerns about ethnic cleansing, forcing out an ethnic group from an area. look at this video from the past day. if we play at, you will see some of the more than 3000, possibly 5000 people who have fled nagorno—karabakh already. the5e possibly 5000 people who have fled nagorno—karabakh already. these are ethnic armenian families living in the region. these pictures are from armenian tv. to understand what is happening, let's try and get our bearing5. we are talking about a part of the world which is where the east europe meets a5ia, split ——

between the black sea and caspian sea. azerbaijan i5 between the black sea and caspian sea. azerbaijan is mostly muslim. both part5 sea. azerbaijan is mostly muslim. both parts were part of the former soviet union. you can see nagorno—karabakh, international recognise a5 nagorno—karabakh, international recognise as part of azerbaijan. large areas hubby controlled by ethnic armenians for three decades. what happened last week was the azerbaijan military launched this offensive, a quick operation, in response to what it said was provocation and made gains quickly. the operation was condemned by the eu. internet was restricted in nagorno—karabakh. thi5 eu. internet was restricted in nagorno—karabakh. this is one video we've seen. it is not very close up but around the main city, and you can see the smoke there in the distance. what then happened was a peace deal was announced in which the ethnic armenian forces would be

disbanded and disarmed, but look at this photograph. thi5 disbanded and disarmed, but look at this photograph. this is within the city, the main city. you can see this big plume of smoke. here at the bbc we've 5aid this big plume of smoke. here at the bbc we've said this photograph is authentic, we look at the outlines of the mountings and buildings. thi5 of the mountings and buildings. this is true. the idea of a piece being in place there is contradicted by this. azerbaijan has promised the people of nagorno—karabakh will be saved, but ethnic armenian leaders say they fear ethnic cleansing, and that only one big delivery of food has been allowed through. the claim is thousand5 has been allowed through. the claim is thousands of people are without i5 thousands of people are without food and shelter. thi5 i5 thousands of people are without food and shelter. this is footage taken in the past week by peacekeepers in the region. they are not from the un, they are from russia. it is clear, looking at what

ru55ia. it is clear, looking at what has happened, keeping the peace, protecting human rights and lives of thousands of armenians i5 protecting human rights and lives of thousands of armenians is a pressing concern for lots of people in the international community. to be honest, it has been tough to get a clear picture of what is happening. with more people are merging with their own first—hand account, that could soon change. their own first-hand account, that could soon change.— their own first-hand account, that could soon change. thank you very much. could soon change. thank you very much- joining _ could soon change. thank you very much. joining me _ could soon change. thank you very much. joining me now— could soon change. thank you very much. joining me now is— could soon change. thank you very much. joining me now is a - much. joining me now is a spokesperson for the red cross delegation in armenia. thank you for being here. we were watching the exodus of people well under way. what are your principal concern5? thank you very much. 0ur organisation has been present acro55 organisation has been present across the region since three decades and will be following of the needs of the people who are been suffering the people who are been suffering the consequences of the situation.

currently we are actually trying to step up our sources to give the scale, by adding personal, specialising in health, forensic and weapon contamination. also we are trying to offer our humanitarian support and resources to cover the immediate needs of the people, ranging from the access to food, health care and other essential services such as water and heat while the people are evacuating. we are trying to monitor and ensure the protection of people left behind. also during the past week we have delivered much needed humanitarian supplies, including around 70 metric tonnes of supplies such as wheat

flour, sunflower oil and other stuff. in addition, we've helped nearly 50 people with urgent medical need to get evacuated either within the territory or outside was yesterday, we facilitated the passage of critically injured people, 23 people, to armenia to get treatment in the local medical centre. pa, treatment in the local medical centre. �* ., ~ �* treatment in the local medical centre. ., ~ �* , centre. a twin thought. we've seen the pictures — centre. a twin thought. we've seen the pictures are _ centre. a twin thought. we've seen the pictures are people _ centre. a twin thought. we've seen the pictures are people leaving - centre. a twin thought. we've seen the pictures are people leaving so i the pictures are people leaving so quickly, they are very scared. what, broadly, are the numbers you are dealing with, and also you mention the people left behind, is there anything that can be done which enhances their protection? actually, our organisation _ enhances their protection? actually, our organisation speaks _ enhances their protection? actually, our organisation speaks to _ enhances their protection? actually, our organisation speaks to all- our organisation speaks to all actors in the situation. we can gain acceptance and carry out life—saving work for the greatest number. we stand ready to assist with maintaining and restoring contact

between separated family members. and to provide medical assistance. we are trying to get a clearer picture of the volume of need so we are ready to properly address the needs that can be implemented within our limits and capacity. indie needs that can be implemented within our limits and capacity.— our limits and capacity. we have to leave it there, _ our limits and capacity. we have to leave it there, but _ our limits and capacity. we have to leave it there, but thank _ our limits and capacity. we have to leave it there, but thank you - our limits and capacity. we have to leave it there, but thank you for i leave it there, but thank you for taken the time to speak to us. thank you very much. around the world in the uk, you are watching bbc news. let's look at some other stories making the headlines. a motorbike rider's died in a collision in central london while being followed by police. the motorcycle — which failed to stop for officers after travelling through a red light — crashed on tottenham court road. a pillion passenger sustained non life—threatening injuries and was arrested after being found with a machete. police say the death of sheffield united player maddy cusack is not being treated as suspicious. the midfielder died last week aged 27. derbyshire police said

they were called to an address in horsley on wednesday — where cusack was pronounced dead at the scene. they added a file will now be prepared for the coroner. health service managers estimate that more than one—million nhs appointments in england have been cancelled because of strikes. nhs providers have warned that resources are likely to be severely stretched as winter approaches. industrial action began in december. the official number of inpatient and outpatient appointments and operations cancelled is more than 885,000. you are live with bbc news. ukrainian special forces claim 3a russian officers were killed in an air strike on the black sea naval headquarters in occupied crimea on last friday. the building in sevastopol suffered a direct hit by western supplied missiles. in a statement a military spokesman claimed admiral viktor sokolov — the commander of russia's black sea fleet — died in the strike but wouldn't

name him directly when approached by the bbc for confirmation. no evidence has been provided. live now to ourjames waterhouse in kyiv. tell us more. we saw this dramatic strike on friday, _ tell us more. we saw this dramatic strike on friday, a _ tell us more. we saw this dramatic strike on friday, a direct _ tell us more. we saw this dramatic strike on friday, a direct hit - tell us more. we saw this dramatic strike on friday, a direct hit with i strike on friday, a direct hit with western missiles on the naval headquarters in occupied crimea. at the very least it was a symbolic moment for both ukraine, in terms of undermining russia's present, but for russia because it somewhere it has tried to demonstrate a firmer grip on. i think when you headquarters being blown up, it wasn't clear what operational impact it would have on russia. today, we are seeing ukraine trying to assert it was significant in that a

sizeable chunk had been taken out. 34 sizeable chunk had been taken out. 3a senior officers, we are told, but no evidence has accompanied this statement. as you say, we tried to contact the spokesman, he has not named the officer. they are standing ijy named the officer. they are standing by the statement and there are reports circulating to the delights of pro—ukrainian channels. the kremlin haven't commented on it and we don't expect them to. so kremlin haven't commented on it and we don't expect them to.— we don't expect them to. so many different strands _ we don't expect them to. so many different strands to _ we don't expect them to. so many different strands to the _ we don't expect them to. so many different strands to the war, - we don't expect them to. so many different strands to the war, but i different strands to the war, but reports that the first us tanks have arrived in ukraine. is there any sort of reporting on numbers we have here? , ~ , ., here? yes, i think there is a consensus _ here? yes, i think there is a consensus on _ here? yes, i think there is a consensus on theirs. - here? yes, i think there is a consensus on theirs. one i here? yes, i think there is a l consensus on theirs. one year here? yes, i think there is a - consensus on theirs. one year ago, the west were ruling out sending any tanks to ukraine. then you had the us signal they were prepared to send these usually advanced tanks. that

93)’ these usually advanced tanks. that gay political cover for the german—made effort tanks to be provided —— that gave political cover. it takes the time for them to arrive. nevertheless, the first of the tanks have started to arrive. there are images of them arriving on train, carriages. they are ahead of schedule. we have ukraine's defence minister saying they will be used as part of their counteroffensive. when you've got ukraine looking to make as many games as possible before the onset of winter and softer ground, where it will be harder to move men and vehicles across mine infested terrain, this will be welcome news for kyiv. the hope is more follow. but it will be some time before we see those tanks taken off the train carriages and use in a meaningful way. we are being told the ukrainians want to use these tanks

in a tailored operation. they are valuable and resort ukrainian forces lose a lot of men and machinery early on in their counteroffensive, which forced them to choose different tactics. it'll be interesting to see what impact the tanks have longer term.— tanks have longer term. james waterhouse — tanks have longer term. james waterhouse live _ tanks have longer term. james waterhouse live in _ tanks have longer term. james waterhouse live in kyiv. - the notorious italian mafia boss — matteo messina denaro — has died in custody, at the age of 61. he'd been undergoing treatment for cancer. denaro was arrested injanuary, at a clinic in palermo in sicily, after 30 years on the run. he was serving a life sentence after being convicted in absentia of numerous murders. he once boasted that he could fill a cemetery with his victims. mark lowen is our rome correspondent. just reminders what this mafia boss

actually four sided over? he just reminders what this mafia boss actually four sided over?— actually four sided over? he recited over the feared _ actually four sided over? he recited over the feared and _ actually four sided over? he recited over the feared and ruthless - actually four sided over? he recited j over the feared and ruthless bosses in the sicilian mafia. he was convicted of a multiple life sentences because of the dozens of murders attributed him, including involvements in the murders of the two anti—mafia judges, who were very iconic figures, assassinated in 1982 ijy iconic figures, assassinated in 1982 by the mafia trying to stand up and crush the sicilian mafia. after that, the italian police clampdown on them, but he remained on the run for 30 years and was tracked down because of the chemotherapy treatment he was receiving in a clinic in sicily. it is the same cancer which led the police to him in january cancer which led the police to him injanuary and cancer which led the police to him in january and has led cancer which led the police to him injanuary and has led to the end of his life. he boasted he would not

die bulge any information, he had no regrets. many will fear he will take some of those secrets to his grave. i know it is only the first few hours since this news emerged, but what reaction has there been? iuntimely what reaction has there been? when he was arrested _ what reaction has there been? when he was arrested it _ what reaction has there been? when he was arrested it was _ what reaction has there been? when he was arrested it was a _ what reaction has there been? when he was arrested it was a huge - what reaction has there been? lumen he was arrested it was a huge deal because he was symbolic. it was not the force it once was because it has been eclipsed by other mafias. it controls 80% of international cocaine. it has been crushed as other mafias have been put in its place. messina denaro was a massive figure, and people have breathed a sigh of relief. the fact he has died before trial, people will regret it,

the family and friends of his victims. 0ne the family and friends of his victims. one of his licenses was the kidnapping and murder of a 12—year—old son of a witness. that shows the ruthlessness that he carried out. as you say, he boasted he could fill a cemetery with the number of people he had killed. he is ending up himself in a cemetery buried beside his mafioso partner. thank you very much. we are about to take a break. we will have the latest on what looks like we'll be the end of the screenwriters strike in the us. that has been going on for months. we have the actors still on strike, but the first of the dominoes looks as if it has fallen. we will have the latest on the protracted and of the screenwriters strike. that is coming up here on bbc news in the next few minutes.

don't go away. hello there. apart from some rain across the north and the west of the uk, today potentially could be one of the better days of this week as things are set to turn very windy with gales and heavy rain, particularly around the middle part of the week. but this afternoon looks largely fine and dry. for most of us, that is a way from the north west of the uk, where here rain will continue to affect the north and west of scotland. a few showery bursts as well, further south and west across western england and western wales. but a good deal of sunshine around, particularly towards southern and eastern parts of the country which will stay dry all day and will feel quite warm as well. in the brisk south—westerly wind, up to 23 degrees in the southeast, generally the high teens further north and west. as we head through tonight, it'll be dry for most areas. the winds pick up a little bit across the north and the west. we start to see some rain eventually pushing into northern ireland as a weather front approaches. i don't think anywhere is going to be particularly cold tonight.

lowest values around 7 to 9 degrees across northeast england and eastern scotland. a couple of weather fronts, though, invade as we move through tuesday. so although we start dry and bright through central and eastern areas, we'll start to see some rain pushing across england. well, some of this could be thundery in nature and longer spells of rain also affecting northern ireland, western scotland with that other weather front. so a bit of a mixed day on tuesday. but again, not too bad in the sunshine across the southeast, again, could be up to 23 celsius, high teens further north. by wednesday, though, we could see a stormy spell of weather. storm agnes, named by the met office, could bring some disruption maybe towards northern and western parts of the uk. here it is on the pressure charts, gathering speed, deepening rapidly as it approaches ireland. but as the storm approaches our shores, it will start to weaken, but still pack quite a punch with some gale force winds 60 to 70 miles an hour around the irish sea coast, maybe in excess,

up to 80 miles an hour. and also very windy conditions across northern and eastern scotland. and with the strong winds throughout wednesday, heavy rain will pile up the western side of the country across northern ireland, up in towards scotland because see some localised flooding in fact across the east and south east of england. i think you will escape the worst of it. we're seeing some sunshine, one or two showers, but it will be quite blustery wherever you are. and then signs as we end the week and push into the weekend high pressure could build in, bring us increasing amounts of drier and sunnier weather. take care.

this is bbc news. the headlines: the british army has stood down after hundreds of officers stepped back from firearms duties. scenes of panic and chaos as thousands of people leave for armenia following azerbaijan's seizure of the disputed territory. the england and wales cricket board has laid out plans to address racism, sexism and classism after a damning report into the sport. the show might be about to go on foot at us screenwriters feature tentative deal with studio bosses which could end a five month strike. and pressure mounts on rishi sunak as he refuses to comment on reports the scrap the high—speed rail link between birmingham and manchester.