of women during the attacks from hamas on october 7th. russian president vladimir putin travels to the united arab emiraites and saudi arabia — a rare overseas trip in the hope to reassert moscow's role in the middle east. and the mediterranean diet under threat. we report on how climate change is affecting a healthy kitchen staple — olive oil. and she's played everyone from queen victoria to james bond's boss — but damejudi dench's main love has always been shakespeare. we'll find out why in a moment. more details are emerging of the 7th october attack. the bbc has been hearing evidence that women in israel were sexually assaulted, raped, and mutilated by hamas. israeli investigators have gathered more than 1,000 testimonies from witnesses and those who handled the bodies of victims

after the attack. 0ur middle east correspondent, lucy williamson, has more from jerusalem. a warning, her report contains some distressing details. out of the chaos and mass trauma of the hamas attacks, new stories are starting to emerge of rape and sexual assault, including graphic testimony from an eyewitness interviewed by police. i realised they were raping her one by one. then she was passed to another man in uniform. she was still alive when she was being raped. the scale of sexual violence here isn't clear. bodies were mutilated and survivors few and police admit they're facing a lack of forensic evidence from the site. you can still hear the israeli bombardment of gaza and see vast clouds of black smoke hanging over the gaza strip.

but in the days following the attack, this site was an active combat zone. it was a big enough challenge to collect the bodies, let alone early forensic evidence of sexual crimes. a video shot by hamas during the attacks... an early warning. a large bloodstain on the trousers of one woman captive. female bodies piled on trucks naked or semi clothed. you see the way that it's burned... body collectors describe piles of women's bodies, naked from the waist down, some photographed with their legs splayed. those who witnessed sexual attacks have struggled with what they saw. i spoke with girls that are now... at least three girls that are now hospitalised for a very hard psychiatric situation because of the rapes they watched. they pretended to be dead and they watched it and they heard everything from the side. some of them want to kill

themselves, some can't deal with it. crucial evidence has come from the makeshift identification unit at the shura army base. teams here describe clear signs of assault, including broken pelvises. but the scale of sexual abuse during these attacks may never be fully known. it's definitely multiple. it's hard to tell. i've also dealt with more than a few burnt bodies and those i have no idea what they went through beforehand. bodies that are missing the bottom half. i also don't know what they... if they were raped. staff at shura told me there were patterns in the violence visited on women's bodies according to location. investigators say these attacks were systematic and premeditated. but piecing together even one single story is slow and difficult work. the wider story of sexual violence in these attacks is onlyjust beginning. lucy williamson, bbc news, jerusalem.

russian president vladimir putin is travelling to the united arab emirates and saudi arabia on on a rare overseas trip to discuss the israel—gaza war, as moscow seeks to reassert russia's role in the middle east. hamas, which most western countries consider to be a terrorist group, is on good terms with russia, frequently sending delegations to moscow. for more on this we're joined live now by our correspondent, sameer hashmi who's in dubai. what is president putin hoping to achieve? , , , ., , achieve? this trip is really significant _ achieve? this trip is really significant for _ achieve? this trip is really significant for president i achieve? this trip is really i significant for president putin achieve? this trip is really - significant for president putin for multiple reasons. one, he has untroubled much outside since the war in ukraine began. he visited former state is associated with the soviet union and then china in october. this will be one of his few rare trips. he is coming to the uae first, abu dhabi, which is 100 from

the cop28 venue and he will be meeting the president of the country where they will be discussing a host of issues and then he flies to riyadh to meet the saudi arabia crown prince. they will discuss the war in the middle east which is happening in gaza. and the general situation in the middle east. whether it is yemen, syria, or sudan. he will also be discussing oil cuts and oil production because russia, the uae, and saudi arabia are member of the 0pec plus, the oil cartel which last week announced they would be making voluntary production cuts to prices. from his point of view, this trip is important because he wants to send a message that russia still holds influence in the middle east region. it has been a neutral play—palestine issue over the decades. the second thing is, he wants to expand —— neutral in the israel—palestine.

during the ukraine war, saudi arabia and the uae did not take any sides, they were neutral. president putin wants to build on that relationship, which is why this trip is significant.— which is why this trip is significant. which is why this trip is siunificant. ., ., significant. to touch on something ou said significant. to touch on something you said at — significant. to touch on something you said at the _ significant. to touch on something you said at the start, _ significant. to touch on something you said at the start, by _ significant. to touch on something you said at the start, by no - significant. to touch on something you said at the start, by no meansi you said at the start, by no means is he unaware that the events in the middle east cast a shadow or at least have an influence, certainly, on what is happening in ukraine? yeah, that's the other thing, since the war in gaza has started, attention has shifted. and overshadowed what has been happening in ukraine. that is why mr putin thinks this is a good opportunity to show that russia is still active geopolitically and it still has influence in multiple regions in the world, including the middle east. traditionally, russia has always been involved in the middle east on multiple fronts, whether it was libya, syria, and, of course, it has always been a neutral player when it

comes to the palestine—israel issue. tomorrow, after his trip is done, and he visits the uae and saudi arabia, on thursday, he is hosting a reigning president mr ibrahim racy... reigning president mr ibrahim ra ~ a racy... inaudible studio: - racy... inaudible studio: we - racy... inaudible studio: we are | racy... inaudible - studio: we are coming racy... inaudible _ studio: we are coming away from racy... inaudible — studio: we are coming away from the 3pp studio: we are coming away from the app that it that courage to welcome you to the covid inquiry which gets under way in half an hour, boris johnson appearing in the last few weeks have been building up to this moment where we heard testimony from scientists and civil servants and other politicians. it was boris johnson who made all the main decisions during the pandemic. it is those questions that will be asked today. i think i can show you some of the protest as we have in the background as well as the world's media. many people have travelled hundreds of miles to be here today to see borisjohnson, even though they won't necessarily get a ticket inside the inquiry room but they felt it necessary to be here. i am

joined by oonagh cousins and sammie and you are both campaigning on behalf of those suffering with long covid. tell me why you are here today, sammie mcfarland. —— why you are hitting a, oonagh cousins. i caught covid and i've had to retire. i am here to represent the 1.9 million people in the uk that are suffering this disease. what million people in the uk that are suffering this disease. what does it mean for you _ suffering this disease. what does it mean for you to — suffering this disease. what does it mean for you to actually _ suffering this disease. what does it mean for you to actually be - suffering this disease. what does it mean for you to actually be here? i mean for you to actually be here? you have travelled down here, you obviously won't get to personally speak to boris johnson, obviously won't get to personally speak to borisjohnson, but obviously won't get to personally speak to boris johnson, but you felt you needed to witness it?— you needed to witness it? yeah, watchin: you needed to witness it? yeah, watching it _ you needed to witness it? yeah, watching it on — you needed to witness it? yeah, watching it on tv, _ you needed to witness it? yeah, watching it on tv, and _ you needed to witness it? yeah, watching it on tv, and kind - you needed to witness it? yeah, watching it on tv, and kind of i watching it on tv, and kind of living the experiences of it and watching it, very disassociating experience. borisjohnson hasjust experience. boris johnson has just seemed experience. borisjohnson hasjust seemed to be completely oblivious to the damage that this virus has done. i kind ofjust want to see what he has to say for himself, just to see him in person. it will be an interesting experience today. bruno, took me your — interesting experience today. bruno, took me your experience, _ interesting experience today. bruno, took me your experience, it -

interesting experience today. bruno, took me your experience, it is - interesting experience today. bruno, took me your experience, it is not i took me your experience, it is not just yours, it is your daughter, as well. �* ., , ., ., ., well. both my daughter and i got covid in march _ well. both my daughter and i got covid in march 2020. _ well. both my daughter and i got covid in march 2020. -- - well. both my daughter and i got covid in march 2020. -- oonagh| well. both my daughter and i got| covid in march 2020. -- oonagh, covid in march 2020. —— oonagh, tell me about _ covid in march 2020. —— oonagh, tell me about your experience. i haven't been _ me about your experience. i haven't been able _ me about your experience. i haven't been able to— me about your experience. i haven't been able to return to work and she hasn't been — been able to return to work and she hasn't been able to continue with her studies. she has missed two years— her studies. she has missed two years of— her studies. she has missed two years of education. we set up a charity, — years of education. we set up a charity, long covid kids and we represent — charity, long covid kids and we represent 62,000 children living in the uk _ represent 62,000 children living in the uk with long covid who are experiencing the same. obviously, boris experiencing the same. obviously, itoris johnson _ experiencing the same. obviously, boris johnson initially, _ experiencing the same. obviously, boris johnson initially, we - experiencing the same. obviously, boris johnson initially, we have - borisjohnson initially, we have heard, part of his evidence here at the inquiry didn't seem to take long covid mac very seriously. i won't use the word that we have heard he said about it because i couldn't possibly mention it on television but the feeling was it cynthia wasn't taken seriously early enough? that's exactly right. == wasn't taken seriously early enough? that's exactly right.— that's exactly right. -- it simply wasn't. that's exactly right. -- it simply wasn't- that _ that's exactly right. -- it simply wasn't. that is _ that's exactly right. -- it simply wasn't. that is our _ that's exactly right. -- it simply wasn't. that is our experience . that's exactly right. -- it simply| wasn't. that is our experience to our advocacy _ wasn't. that is our experience to our advocacy we _ wasn't. that is our experience to our advocacy we have _ wasn't. that is our experience to our advocacy we have done - wasn't. that is our experience to our advocacy we have done over| wasn't. that is our experience to i our advocacy we have done over the last few _ our advocacy we have done over the last few years, that long covid man hasn't _ last few years, that long covid man hasn't been — last few years, that long covid man hasn't been taken seriously and never_

hasn't been taken seriously and never featured on the dashboard, not mentioned _ never featured on the dashboard, not mentioned in briefings. it is a serious — mentioned in briefings. it is a serious consequence of the pandemic -- long _ serious consequence of the pandemic —— long covid mac hasn't been. lots -- long covid mac hasn't been. lots of issues he — -- long covid mac hasn't been. lots of issues he will _ -- long covid mac hasn't been. lots of issues he will be _ —— long covid mac hasn't been. lots of issues he will be questioned about over the next couple of days. do you have an open mind, though? we already know he is likely to bother apologised today and do you have an open mind that he might change his mind and he was only human, politicians are only human. laughter not sure about that! we will see what his responses are but fundamentally, the uk, along with us and brazil have had the worst pandemic response. we spent more money, longer in lockdown, more deaths and we don't have statistics on covid but we know it is probably bad. looking after the lies of the nation is the primary responsibility, basic responsibility, basic responsibility, of our leaders. he continuously put his ego and self interest ahead of that. —— looking after the lives. this inquiry is a tool of state to get accountability and we hope to see that today. irate

and we hope to see that today. we better let you go in because it will start very soon. as i say, the issue of long covid mac is a one —— one of a number of issues put to the former prime minister today. some of the decisions he had to take, the various areas had to be considered. let's take a look at some of the issues he is likely to face today. from this evening, i must give the british people a very simple instruction. you must stay at home. in the end, it was his call, he was responsible for the biggest decisions made during the pandemic. that is why people will only be allowed to leave their home... but how he came _ allowed to leave their home... but how he came to make those decisions will be at the heart of questions he faces today. the inquiry has heard from scientists and senior politicians at the first —— that the first and second lockdown should have come earlier. irate first and second lockdown should have come earlier.— first and second lockdown should have come earlier. we will follow the science. we _ have come earlier. we will follow the science. we will _ have come earlier. we will follow the science. we will be _ have come earlier. we will follow the science. we will be guided i have come earlier. we will followj the science. we will be guided by the science. we will be guided by the science- _ the science. we will be guided by the science. that's _ the science. we will be guided by the science. that's why _ the science. we will be guided by the science. that's why we - the science. we will be guided by the science. that's why we are i the science. that's why we are followin: the science. that's why we are following the _ the science. that's why we are following the scientific - the science. that's why we are following the scientific advice l following the scientific advice on the way we are. irate

following the scientific advice on the way we are.— following the scientific advice on the way we are. we also heard boris johnson had — the way we are. we also heard boris johnson had a _ the way we are. we also heard boris johnson had a questionable - the way we are. we also heard boris johnson had a questionable grasp i the way we are. we also heard boris johnson had a questionable grasp ofj johnson had a questionable grasp of the science. the johnson had a questionable grasp of the science. johnson had a questionable grasp of the science-— the science. the prime minister at the science. the prime minister at the time gave _ the science. the prime minister at the time gave up _ the science. the prime minister at the time gave up science - the science. the prime minister at the time gave up science when - the science. the prime minister at the time gave up science when he | the science. the prime minister at - the time gave up science when he was 15. the time gave up science when he was 15 and _ the time gave up science when he was 15 and i_ the time gave up science when he was 15. and i think he would be the first to — 15. and i think he would be the first to admit it wasn't his forte. and there — first to admit it wasn't his forte. and there have been plenty of concerns about his decision—making process. it concerns about his decision-making rocess. . , concerns about his decision-making rocess. ., , ., . , , concerns about his decision-making rocess. ., . , , ., process. it was the wrong crisis for this prime minister's _ process. it was the wrong crisis for this prime minister's skill- process. it was the wrong crisis for this prime minister's skill set. - this prime minister's skill set. which — this prime minister's skill set. which is — this prime minister's skill set. which is different, _ this prime minister's skill set. which is different, i— this prime minister's skill set. which is different, i think, - this prime minister's skill set. i which is different, i think, from not potentially _ which is different, i think, from not potentially being _ which is different, i think, from not potentially being up - which is different, i think, from not potentially being up to - which is different, i think, from not potentially being up to the i which is different, i think, from . not potentially being up to the job of being _ not potentially being up to the job of being prime— not potentially being up to the job of being prime minister. - not potentially being up to the job of being prime minister. then- not potentially being up to the “0b of being prime minister. then there was -a of being prime minister. then there was party gate- _ of being prime minister. then there was party gate- i — of being prime minister. then there was party gate. i take _ of being prime minister. then there was party gate. i take full _ was party gate. i take full responsibility _ was party gate. i take full responsibility for - was party gate. i take full l responsibility for everything was party gate. i take full - responsibility for everything that took place on my watch. the responsibility for everything that took place on my watch. the pm, and numerous senior— took place on my watch. the pm, and numerous senior figures, _ took place on my watch. the pm, and numerous senior figures, including i numerous senior figures, including the numerous seniorfigures, including the then chancellor, now prime minister rishi sunak, were fined for parties they went to at a time when the rest of us were expected to follow lockdown rules. i the rest of us were expected to follow lockdown rules.- the rest of us were expected to follow lockdown rules. i would find it hard to pick _ follow lockdown rules. i would find it hard to pick one _ follow lockdown rules. i would find it hard to pick one day _ it hard to pick one day where the regulations— it hard to pick one day where the regulations were _ it hard to pick one day where the regulations were followed - it hard to pick one day where the l regulations were followed properly inside _ regulations were followed properly inside that building. _ regulations were followed properly inside that building. horat- regulations were followed properly inside that building.— inside that building. how is your e esiuht, inside that building. how is your eyesight. mr — inside that building. how is your eyesight, mr cummings? - inside that building. how is your eyesight, mr cummings? the i inside that building. how is your i eyesight, mr cummings? the inquiry heard time and _ eyesight, mr cummings? the inquiry heard time and time _ eyesight, mr cummings? the inquiry heard time and time again _ eyesight, mr cummings? the inquiry heard time and time again about i eyesight, mr cummings? the inquiry heard time and time again about the| heard time and time again about the toxic working culture. and dominic

cummings. toxic working culture. and dominic cumminus. ., toxic working culture. and dominic cummings-— cummings. you called ministers useless expletive _ cummings. you called ministers useless expletive morons i cummings. you called ministers i useless expletive morons expletive cummings. you called ministers - useless expletive morons expletive. m a- allin: useless expletive morons expletive. my appalling language _ useless expletive morons expletive. my appalling language is _ useless expletive morons expletive. my appalling language is obviously i my appalling language is obviously my own _ my appalling language is obviously my own. the my appalling language is obviously m own. j , _ , my appalling language is obviously m own. my own. the inquiry's cher says she wants to move _ my own. the inquiry's cher says she wants to move beyond _ my own. the inquiry's cher says she wants to move beyond the - my own. the inquiry's cher says she wants to move beyond the swearingj wants to move beyond the swearing of tittle tattle to work at that how that affected decision—making. i feel better and i have done my seven days of isolation. alas, i still have... borisjohnson days of isolation. alas, i still have... boris johnson found days of isolation. alas, i still have... borisjohnson found himself in intensive care after catching covid just a few weeks into the first lockdown.— covid just a few weeks into the first lockdown. how that squares with sometimes _ first lockdown. how that squares with sometimes flippant - first lockdown. how that squares i with sometimes flippant comments he is reported to have made, like how covid is nature's way with dealing with old people, will no doubt come under scrutiny. with old people, will no doubt come underscrutiny. his with old people, will no doubt come under scrutiny. his opening gambit at the inquiry is likely to be sorry. he is expected to accept there were things the government got wrong. but there was plenty it got right, too, he willargue, not least the vaccine roll—out. the uk was the first country in the will to offer

jabs to its citizens but also one of the worst affected european nations in terms of death rate. there's a lot to get through today, which is why he will be back tomorrow, too. fox it all started as a health story, politic story and thenit a health story, politic story and then it involves everything. —— politics story. joining me now is our political correspondent nick eardley. this is a prime minister who resigned a year and a half ago, why is his testimony so important politically still? 50 is his testimony so important politically still?— is his testimony so important oliticall still? . . ., politically still? so much criticism of boris johnson _ politically still? so much criticism of boris johnson over _ politically still? so much criticism of boris johnson over the - politically still? so much criticism of boris johnson over the last i politically still? so much criticism of boris johnson over the last few of borisjohnson over the last few weeks at the inquiry, everything from his decision—making to him changing his mind, to him being too slow, to being the wrong man for the job at the time. today is a couple of things. firstly, for all these bereaved families who turn up at the inquiry regularly, it is a chance to hearfrom borisjohnson, to hear his decision—making scrutinised, to have some of those points put to him and say, look, why did you take so long

to lock down the first time. and did you learn the lessons from the first lockdown when it came to the second lockdown when it came to the second lockdown in autumn 2020? part of his defence will be, quite frankly, it was a difficult decision, lots of things to weigh up and he was also thinking about the economy. that leads us into the second part, which, i think for borisjohnson, this is a chance today to try and set up some of his argument about what was going on. we have heard from some of his arch critics, the political rivals in downing street who fell out with him in such a spectacular way. we were here when dominic cummings and lee kane were giving evidence. really battering boris johnson's legacy. giving evidence. really battering borisjohnson's legacy. he will want to use today to say we got some stuff wrong and i am sorry but i think we got some of the big calls right. what will be fascinating is hearing that over two days, the real scrutiny of those decisions. and having some of the scientific

criticism put to him, the claims that boris johnson criticism put to him, the claims that borisjohnson didn't quite understand what was being put to him when the scientists were putting some of the data, the claims he took far too long to make decisions. it is a big day for him politically. but also for those people who still feel the pain of the pandemic, it is a really big moment for them personally, as well.— a really big moment for them personally, as well. you can only see the people who _ personally, as well. you can only see the people who have - personally, as well. you can only. see the people who have travelled hundreds of miles to hear that. legacy, really interesting, prime minister's always have an eye on legacy —— prime ministers. it was the party gate scandal. he arrived 7am this morning, that is the earliest i have seen a witness arrive here at the covid inquiry. it doesn't feel like him to almost come in quietly. the cameras were here, but most of the protesters were not. almost like he was coming in quietly, do you think that sets a tone for the rest of the day? {line

tone for the rest of the day? one minister was _ tone for the rest of the day? one minister was on _ tone for the rest of the day? one minister was on the _ tone for the rest of the day? que: minister was on the airwaves tone for the rest of the day? iez minister was on the airwaves saying this morning it is the only time they have seen borisjohnson turn up early for something. he didn't have a reputation for timekeeping. you raise a really important point, which is i think a broader one about how borisjohnson approaches today, by arriving early, you miss the media scrum, you miss the chance that someone will have a go at you on the way in. that is partly because boris johnson on the way in. that is partly because borisjohnson is known for theatrics. he became prime minister partly because he entertained people. they liked the fact he could sell a political message in a way that was understandable. in some ways, that was one of his great strengths, that he spoke to the country in a way that people enjoyed. today is completely different. they will not be any room for that sort of theatrical response. it is going to be, i think, pretty businesslike. one of the big tests for him, if a test is the big tests for him, if a test is the right thing to describe today as, is to say, in a fairly sober

way, this is the decision—making process that i was overseeing, this is what was going on in my downing street. this is the culture we have heard so much about, some of the misogynist language, some would say, some and of the other things that were going on. yes, by coming in early, i suppose in some ways he is trying to say to us all, i am taking this seriously, i want to get in there, go over things with my lawyers, to get down to the business side of things. in lawyers, to get down to the business side of things-— side of things. in some ways, to derive side of things. in some ways, to deprive some — side of things. in some ways, to deprive some of the _ side of things. in some ways, to deprive some of the people i side of things. in some ways, to deprive some of the people whoj side of things. in some ways, to i deprive some of the people who have turned up here to make their point. they have made very clear they will be waiting all day and no doubt will catch him at the end. you talked about this being over two days and we have had plenty in the inquiry that boris johnson we have had plenty in the inquiry that borisjohnson perhaps wasn't a detail man and maybe he didn't get the science. as you say, this will be forensic, and not a moment for theatrics. we have seen hugo keith casey, getting into the nitty—gritty of many of his witnesses. —— hugo

keith kc. it will be a long time and there were reports on some of the newspapers he has been practising being trained by some of his lawyers about what he is likely to be asked. it's not necessarily going to play to his strengths, is it, as you say, that maybe he is sort of known and loved for? ., ., �* ~ ., , ., loved for? yeah, i don't know if you remember — loved for? yeah, i don't know if you remember the _ loved for? yeah, i don't know if you remember the liaison _ loved for? yeah, i don't know if you remember the liaison committee i loved for? yeah, i don't know if you i remember the liaison committee where borisjohnson got grilled for hours by mps on whether he had misled parliament. by mps on whether he had misled parliament-— by mps on whether he had misled parliament. by mps on whether he had misled i parliament-_ it parliament. that was in two days! it wasn't, it parliament. that was in two days! it wasn't. it was _ parliament. that was in two days! it wasn't, it was several hours - parliament. that was in two days! it wasn't, it was several hours and i wasn't, it was several hours and over time, you saw borisjohnson start to crack. the sober persona will where he was trying to methodically go through things came under quite a lot of strain. there is a chance that will happen today. we saw matt hancock last week, the longer things went on, you could tell he was struggling. that is a

test for boris johnson today, tell he was struggling. that is a test for borisjohnson today, to try and stick to what was going on, to try and remain calm. there is also something deeper. this is about how the country or how the government made key decisions, life and death decisions, that affected us all in such a significant way. the economic impact and i think we will hear borisjohnson talk about impact and i think we will hear boris johnson talk about that and we will hear it from rishi sunak, the prime minister next week. but for me, one of the key things that keeps coming up in this inquiry is the question of timing of lockdowns. the first lockdown in march 2020, did the government to take too long? was borisjohnson taking it the government to take too long? was boris johnson taking it seriously enough early borisjohnson taking it seriously enough early enough? was boris johnson taking it seriously enough early enough? was the decision—making process in place in downing street to make sure that as soon as it became clear that had to happen, it did happen. the evidence suggests not and today we might hear a bit of a defence. even more significantly, the second lockdown. perhaps you can understand or some

might make the argument that you can understand why the first lockdown was such a difficult thing to do because it was unprecedented. bind was such a difficult thing to do because it was unprecedented. and we heard no one — because it was unprecedented. and we heard no one had _ because it was unprecedented. and we heard no one had even _ because it was unprecedented. and we heard no one had even thought - because it was unprecedented. and we heard no one had even thought about i heard no one had even thought about lockdown as a thing before. the italians had started to do it a month or so before but it was literally something that the western world had never done.— world had never done. exactly. but the second — world had never done. exactly. but the second lockdown, _ world had never done. exactly. but the second lockdown, there - world had never done. exactly. but the second lockdown, there was i world had never done. exactly. but the second lockdown, there was a l the second lockdown, there was a blueprint. there was precedent. some of the scientists have been suggesting that borisjohnson just took too long to realise that it was going to have to happen again. those are two of the most serious charges he will face, plus all of the other stuff we have been talking about. quick question, borisjohnson led the government you are talking about but he is not leading the government any more, nothing to do with the government. he has stood down as an mp. but that government that he headed is still in power. his then chancellor is now leading that government. there is a bit of jeopardy today with boris johnson

for the conservative government that still exists in this country. absolutely. there absolutely is. partly because of the shadow boris johnson, the kind of hangoverfrom thejohnson years. partly because i think rishi sunak will face some very difficult questions next week about his decision making, particularly eat out to help out, which we have had a lot of scepticism about. but the other thing that keeps happening at this inquiry that often surprises us as anybody else, messages pop up. we get whatsapp exchanges or contemporaneous notes from things that were happening in downing street and sometimes that has been the most interesting thing that has happened at this inquiry. there may be more of that today and this is a big moment politically for boris johnson, politically for the conservative party and personally for a lot of people who were affected by those decisions. bind for a lot of people who were affected by those decisions. and you will be quite — affected by those decisions. and you will be quite interested, _ affected by those decisions. and you will be quite interested, i'm - affected by those decisions. and you will be quite interested, i'm sure. i will be quite interested, i'm sure. thank you i will leave it there for now. i think we can hear a little bit from a press conference that was

held a few moments ago from campaigners on b half of bereaved families at the inquiry. —— on behalf of. for the families we represent, this inquiry has robustly acted without fare or favour. inquiry has robustly acted without fare orfavour. boris inquiry has robustly acted without fare or favour. borisjohnson inquiry has robustly acted without fare orfavour. borisjohnson is expected to issue an apology this morning yet he will claim he saved thousands of lives. many of —— for many of the bereaved that will be a distortion. instead of solving a national crisis, his government presided over a total discussing orgy of narcissism. he did let the bodies pile up. and the elderly were treated as toxic waste. as a result, over a quarter of a million people died from covid. they cannot speak for themselves, died from covid. they cannot speak forthemselves, but died from covid. they cannot speak for themselves, but their families, the bereaved, and all those impacted by covid deserve the truth today. those were the bereaved family who gave an impromptu press conference a few moments ago.

joining me now is lobby akinnola — a member of the covid—19 bereaved families forjustice. tell me why you are here today. i am here to bear— tell me why you are here today. i am here to bear witness. _ tell me why you are here today. i am here to bear witness. i _ tell me why you are here today. i an here to bear witness. i lost my father at the start of the pandemic. the man who was in charge of making decisions when i lost my father is giving evidence today and i want to hear what he has to say. how he came to the conclusions and make the decisions he made. and trying to understand, like people have said, understand, like people have said, under scrutiny, the logic behind, you know, what, unfortunately, led to the loss of my father. it is obviously — to the loss of my father. it is obviously horrendous - to the loss of my father. it is obviously horrendous what happened to you. do you have an open mind? i asked the other guests this. obviously, you have an opinion on some of the decisions that boris johnson made. is there anything he can say in there that will change your mind or soften your view, if your mind or soften your view, if you like? at the end of the day, could it have been all his fault? i don't think it's necessarily all his fault. but i would be surprised if

he says anything today that's going to change my opinion of him. because he has had ample opportunity before today to be honest and candid with the public, to own up for mistakes. i don't think personally it will feel sincere if he gives an apology. but i am hoping to hear information, something that can help us make sure that this doesn't happen again and we can shape a system and process that ensures when the next crisis hits, we are not held solely at the whims of whoever is in charge. hagar whims of whoever is in charge. how do ou whims of whoever is in charge. how do you feel — whims of whoever is in charge. how do you feel the _ whims of whoever is in charge. how do you feel the inquiry has gone? i am assuming you have watched this very closely because this is something your group was calling for very early on into the pandemic. have you been impressed with what you have heard? i mean, there's a sense, and it was suddenly reminded at least twice last week, that this isn't about apportioning personal blame or indeed getting too involved in the tittle tattle and the swearing we have had in those personal messages. it is about learning lessons, particularfrom

structures of government. do you feel like the inquiry has got to the root of that? i feel like the inquiry has got to the root of that?— root of that? i think the inquiry is doinu its root of that? i think the inquiry is doing its best _ root of that? i think the inquiry is doing its best to _ root of that? i think the inquiry is doing its best to get _ root of that? i think the inquiry is doing its best to get that. - root of that? i think the inquiry is doing its best to get that. the i doing its best to get that. the questions that have imposed are insightful and probing. questions that have imposed are insightfuland probing. buti questions that have imposed are insightful and probing. but i do feel like some of the witnesses, especially the equivocate and it feels like they are focused on maintaining any form of credence they can, trying to gain some public favour. instead of really drilling down to what went wrong. i think i would hope for more kindness and honesty from the politicians, because, like i say, this isn't about who did what and when and how they did it, it is what did you do so that we can make sure that where it was right, we do it again and where it was wrong, we don't repeat those mistakes. focusing on their own personal career and personal legacy gets in the way of that. it is notjust shameful, it is dangerous.— is notjust shameful, it is dangerous. is notjust shameful, it is dancerous. ., ,, ., ,, dangerous. the baroness has talked about how there _ dangerous. the baroness has talked about how there is _

dangerous. the baroness has talked about how there is a _ dangerous. the baroness has talked about how there is a case of- dangerous. the baroness has talked about how there is a case of when i about how there is a case of when and not if the next pandemic hits. on a personal level, do you think you can gain any closure on this from your very sad personal situation you found yourself in because of the virus? by. situation you found yourself in because of the virus?- situation you found yourself in because of the virus? a sense of closure will come from - because of the virus? a sense of closure will come from me i because of the virus? a sense of closure will come from me when j because of the virus? a sense ofl closure will come from me when i start to see some change. i think the inquiry is the first step in a process of changing what i believe needs to be changing almost our societal structure because i personally believe that covid floated down the channels that a society built. people that we saw most affected were people of colour and disabled people notjust by covid but also, for example, women who have been in domestic abusive relationships who were harmed by things like lockdown. we need to take into consideration everybody in society. once we do that, we will have a safer society and, for me, my

role in this inquiry into this process is doing everything i can to ensure that that process is as successful as possible. i will feel closure personally when i can say that i have done my bit to honour my dad and make sure that his loss wasn't in vain.— dad and make sure that his loss wasn't in vain. i am sure he will be very proud — wasn't in vain. i am sure he will be very proud you _ wasn't in vain. i am sure he will be very proud you would _ wasn't in vain. i am sure he will be very proud you would be _ wasn't in vain. i am sure he will be very proud you would be here i wasn't in vain. i am sure he will be i very proud you would be here today. have you got a ticket inside? unfortunately, i wasn't able to get a ticket but i will be nearby watching live, just trying to keep up watching live, just trying to keep up with what's happening. it is watching live, just trying to keep up with what's happening.- up with what's happening. it is a ve nice up with what's happening. it is a very nice atmosphere, _ up with what's happening. it is a very nice atmosphere, isn't i up with what's happening. it is a very nice atmosphere, isn't it? | up with what's happening. it is a i very nice atmosphere, isn't it? very collegiate atmosphere, people with shared experiences. a sombre but positive outlook isn't it? it is. everyone _ positive outlook isn't it? it is. everyone here _ positive outlook isn't it? it is. everyone here is _ positive outlook isn't it? it is. everyone here is united i positive outlook isn't it? it is. everyone here is united in i positive outlook isn't it? it is. everyone here is united in a l positive outlook isn't it? it 3 everyone here is united in a common goal of, like i said, making a change. and honouring those that we have lost and those who have been affected who were harmed because it wasn'tjust people who died, it was people who suffer from long covid whose lives have been changed for

ever and are grieving in their own way. being able to come together and show solidarity that we have been united in this, making sure our pain isn't shared by future generations, there is a definite sense of warmth in that. . ~ there is a definite sense of warmth in that. ., ~ , ., there is a definite sense of warmth in that. . ~' , ., , there is a definite sense of warmth in that. ., ~ i, , . ., in that. thank you very much for our in that. thank you very much for your time. _ in that. thank you very much for your time. i _ in that. thank you very much for your time, i appreciate - in that. thank you very much for your time, i appreciate it - in that. thank you very much for your time, i appreciate it and . in that. thank you very much for your time, i appreciate it and i l your time, i appreciate it and i hope you get the answers you need today. we are a few moments away from the start of borisjohnson evidence. it is worth having a look back at some of the issues that he is likely to face at the inquiry. we have heard that he was very much at the centre of decision—making at the time. that, in effect, he had to make the big decisions, that he had the advice from scientists, who had the advice from scientists, who had the advice from advisers, from civil servants, from other politicians. there is a big sense that we have been building up to all of this over

the last few weeks. that we have had the last few weeks. that we have had the evidence from those scientists, the evidence from those scientists, the civil servants, and all the other different areas of the government. , in the end it was borisjohnson who had to make those big decisions. nick eardley has come back to talk to us again. this is a huge day. we were talking to lobby, the guests earlier, oonagh cousins and sammie mcfarland from a long covid group. we can look back on the politics of this and it feels like a big moment in history but, ultimately, it was a shared and lived experience for this nation living through the pandemic. important to remember over the next couple of days borisjohnson�*s character fascinates political people like me. it is a question that will keep being asked, was he the right person? but the fundamental question at the heart of the next couple of days is was the government working properly and i didn't get the big calls right? i

think everybody accepts, or a lot