ten it. we will finish tomorrow. ten oflock— it. we will finish tomorrow. ten o'clock tomorrow. _ it. we will finish tomorrow. ten o'clock tomorrow. fill— it. we will finish tomorrow. ten o'clock tomorrow.— o'clock tomorrow. all rise. studio: — o'clock tomorrow. all rise. studio: we _ o'clock tomorrow. all rise. studio: we have - o'clock tomorrow. all rise. studio: we have been - o'clock tomorrow. all rise. - studio: we have been hearing from the former prime minister boris johnson in the covid inquiry and he has been offering evidence, particularly in the last hour or so. he is talking about the dynamics between himself and the civil service and some of the dynamics within cabinet. let's go to ali price and get her take on some of the highlights in the last couple of hours. i think it was a long day with plenty to pick through. it gives you a sense of how busy it is, you can see all the protesters, camera crews and media behind me, waiting for borisjohnson to leave. there are so many people here waiting and watching, people who went inside, protesters who have travelled hundreds of miles to see him, knowing they would not necessarily be able to get into the inquiry

room, theyjust wanted to stand outside and see him but will probably catch a glimpse of him very shortly. i think this was boris johnson's big moment, as he saw it, to set the record straight. it feels like we have been building up to this moment in the last two weeks. we've heard from scientists, civil servants, other politicians, political aides. servants, other politicians, politicalaides. it servants, other politicians, political aides. it feels like it was building up to this man, boris johnson, who ultimately made all the big decisions. questions to answer about lockdowns, about how decisions were made, the culture within downing street, i'm sure tomorrow we will get to the likes of partygate and some of the things that happened laterally into the pandemic. but i think the striking moment this morning was his apology, it had been trailed in the newspapers over the weekend that he would apologise, seek to set the record straight, he certainly did that, he saw two took

personal responsibility and said there were things that he and the government got wrong —— he sought to take. there were people who had been bereaved, campaign groups, family members who had come down to be in the inquiry room at the time, they made their views quite clear in the inquiry room. the made their views quite clear in the inquiry room-— made their views quite clear in the inquiry room. the pain and the loss and the suffering... _ inquiry room. the pain and the loss and the suffering... please - inquiry room. the pain and the loss and the suffering... please stop. i and the suffering... please stop. please sit _ and the suffering... please stop. please sit down. _ and the suffering... please stop. please sit down. please - and the suffering... please stop. please sit down. please sit - and the suffering... please stop. please sit down. please sit downi and the suffering... please stop. i please sit down. please sit down or i'm afraid _ please sit down. please sit down or i'm afraid you — please sit down. please sit down or i'm afraid you will— please sit down. please sit down or i'm afraid you will have _ please sit down. please sit down or i'm afraid you will have to - please sit down. please sit down or i'm afraid you will have to leave - i'm afraid you will have to leave the hearing _ i'm afraid you will have to leave the hearing room. _ i'm afraid you will have to leave the hearing room. i'm- i'm afraid you will have to leave the hearing room. i'm sorry, i i'm afraid you will have to leave the hearing room. i'm sorry, ifi i'm afraid you will have to leave i the hearing room. i'm sorry, if you don't _ the hearing room. i'm sorry, if you don't sit _ the hearing room. i'm sorry, if you don't sit down, _ the hearing room. i'm sorry, if you don't sit down, i _ the hearing room. i'm sorry, if you don't sit down, i will— the hearing room. i'm sorry, if you don't sit down, i will ask— the hearing room. i'm sorry, if you don't sit down, i will ask the - don't sit down, i will ask the oceans — don't sit down, i will ask the oceans to— don't sit down, i will ask the oceans to get _ don't sit down, i will ask the oceans to get you _ don't sit down, i will ask the oceans to get you to - don't sit down, i will ask the oceans to get you to leave. i don't sit down, i will ask the - oceans to get you to leave. wright, a ship. _ oceans to get you to leave. wright, a ship. please _ oceans to get you to leave. wright, a ship. please ask— oceans to get you to leave. wright, a ship, please ask them _ oceans to get you to leave. wright, a ship, please ask them to - oceans to get you to leave. wright, a ship, please ask them to leave. l oceans to get you to leave. wright, i a ship, please ask them to leave. -- richt, a ship, please ask them to leave. right, oceans. those people left, a ship, please ask them to leave.= right, oceans. those people left, we spoke to them earlier. they were not particularly vociferous but they wanted to make their presence felt,

it was quite unusual to hear baroness hallett quite so angry that the inquiry had been disrupted. she has been very careful through these hearings to make sure that we hear from politicians and all those making decisions, but we also hear from those who have lost loved ones during all of this. one of the issues borisjohnson was talking about earlier with herd immunity, this idea floated in the early part of the pandemic that one of the strategies for dealing with it is that the virus could be allowed to in essence go through the population, in effect we would all build up some immunity and eventually that would basically thwart the virus. it obviously did not work and it was something scientists discussed at the time, but borisjohnson was asked about that today. islur but boris johnson was asked about that toda . ., , . . , ., that today. our ob'ective was to rotect that today. our ob'ective was to protect the _ that today. our ob'ective was to protect the nhs — that today. our objective was to protect the nhs and _ that today. our objective was to protect the nhs and save - that today. our objective was to protect the nhs and save lives, | that today. our objective was to - protect the nhs and save lives, and to save _ protect the nhs and save lives, and to save lives by protecting the nhs. our strategy was to suppress the

curve — our strategy was to suppress the curve and _ our strategy was to suppress the curve and to keep the r below one as much _ curve and to keep the r below one as much as— curve and to keep the r below one as much as we _ curve and to keep the r below one as much as we could. we did everything we could _ much as we could. we did everything we could to _ much as we could. we did everything we could to do that. we hoped that herd immunity would be a by—product of that— herd immunity would be a by—product of that campaign, which might be very long — of that campaign, which might be very long and very difficult. much ofthe very long and very difficult. much of the discussion _ very long and very difficult. much of the discussion this _ very long and very difficult. it’llcn of the discussion this morning very long and very difficult. ic"il.t"u of the discussion this morning this afternoon has been on the timing of things and how decisions were made based on what politicians and scientists knew at the time. boris johnson was asked about the first set of restrictions, you will remember there were certain restrictions on certain advice given about working from home and not mixing and social situations, then lockdown came on march the 23rd. he said the scientific advice had basically changed in the weeks running up to the lockdown so by the time he had to call it he was basically left with no choice. the scientific advice _ basically left with no choice. the scientific advice was starting to

become — scientific advice was starting to become much more precautionary. and i become much more precautionary. and llhinkm _ become much more precautionary. and llhinkm i_ become much more precautionary. and i think... i sensed from what i was being _ i think... i sensed from what i was being told — i think... i sensed from what i was being told about the effectiveness of the _ being told about the effectiveness of the previous messages that we had to do more. _ of the previous messages that we had to do more, and looking at the shape of the _ to do more, and looking at the shape of the curves — to do more, and looking at the shape of the curves that i had seen i thought— of the curves that i had seen i thought that we had run out of wiqqle — thought that we had run out of wiggle room. thought that we had run out of wiggle room-— thought that we had run out of wiggle room. thought that we had run out of wit tle room. ., ,, , . wiggle room. one of the issues that we are not surprised _ wiggle room. one of the issues that we are not surprised to _ wiggle room. one of the issues that we are not surprised to hear- wiggle room. one of the issues that we are not surprised to hear about i we are not surprised to hear about was this idea of a toxic culture right at the centre of government, whether that be downing street and beyond, and how decisions have been made. there have been so many discussions over the last few weeks about unpleasant how at times some of these messages, private e—mails and text messages seemed to be within downing street. this particular issue of misogyny was

picked up on this morning, boris johnson accepted there was a gender imbalance in his top team, there were not, frankly, enough women at the top table making decisions, and he was asked about this again this afternoon. ., ., .,, , . , afternoon. none of those things was tut to me afternoon. none of those things was put to me in — afternoon. none of those things was put to me in the _ afternoon. none of those things was put to me in the terms _ afternoon. none of those things was put to me in the terms you - afternoon. none of those things was put to me in the terms you just - afternoon. none of those things was put to me in the terms you just have done, _ put to me in the terms you just have done, first— put to me in the terms you just have done, first of— put to me in the terms you just have done, first of all. nobody came to me and _ done, first of all. nobody came to me and said people have got complexes and into the sign warfare is going _ complexes and into the sign warfare is going on— complexes and into the sign warfare is going on here. what i saw was a country— is going on here. what i saw was a country that — is going on here. what i saw was a country that needs to continuous and urgent _ country that needs to continuous and urgent action and needed solutions to he _ urgent action and needed solutions to be found. what i found were meetings — to be found. what i found were meetings in which people could speak their nfinds— meetings in which people could speak their minds without fear of being embarrassed or seen to say something foolish. _ embarrassed or seen to say something foolish. and _ embarrassed or seen to say something foolish, and that is one of the reasons, _ foolish, and that is one of the reasons, by the way, why i sometimes

spoke _ reasons, by the way, why i sometimes spoke bluntly and freely in meetings, i wanted to give everybody cover to _ meetings, i wanted to give everybody cover to do _ meetings, i wanted to give everybody cover to do the same. i wanted people — cover to do the same. i wanted people to — cover to do the same. i wanted people to feel that if they had an idea, _ people to feel that if they had an idea, that — people to feel that if they had an idea, that i wanted to hear it. a idea, that i wanted to hear it. defence of the culture in downing street right at the centre of decision—making. i have talked a lot about the protesters here today, many from families who have lost people and also a number of protesters who are anti—vaccine protesters. but there are people here campaigning for those suffering from long covid. this number has come up time and time again over the last few weeks. the idea that boris johnson did not take seriously the issue of long covid. there is evidence now about a piece of written evidence that he had had advice from scientists in which he had written an expletive in the corner referring to his views on

whether long covid was really something he needed to worry about. for the first time he apologised about that and accepted that long covid was certainly a big issue. the words i scribbled in the margins of submissions about it long covid have not been _ submissions about it long covid have not been publicised and doubt they have caused huge hurt and offence to people _ have caused huge hurt and offence to people who _ have caused huge hurt and offence to people who do indeed suffer from that syndrome, and i regret very much _ that syndrome, and i regret very much using _ that syndrome, and i regret very much using that language and i should — much using that language and i should have thought about the possibility of a future publication. right _ possibility of a future publication. right before the inquiry finished for the afternoon, borisjohnson was again defending matt hancock, his health secretary. matt hancock has had plenty of criticism over the last few weeks for his tendency, we are told, to overpromise and under

deliver, that there were calls for him to be sacked by borisjohnson. borisjohnson he felt matt hancock had worked very hard, he was a good communicator, he felt there was no need to fire him as health secretary. we heard that shortly before the break this afternoon. other big market to draw to your attention was the idea that boris johnson felt he should have stopped mass gatherings earlier. there were quite famous pictures in early march of borisjohnson at a rugby match, england against wales, and then a week later there was the cheltenham racing festival which went ahead. that was something boris johnson that was something borisjohnson said in that was something boris johnson said in retrospect should not have happened, but the scientific advice at the time was mass gathering should have said john gone ahead. he said it was not necessarily that they spread the virus but they did not send a good message to the public that the government was taking covid very seriously. what

it's worth bearing in mind as the words of baroness hallett, the chair of the inquiry, in which she had said there is no plan, this is certainly not the attention of the inquiry, to apportion personal playing in any of this. this is all about learning lessons for the future and structures of government, but you can see with the amount of medium protesters here that this is very much borisjohnson's reputation on trial. that will continue into tomorrow when he gets more evidence. earlier i spoke to two people who had been in the inquiry today, who had been in the inquiry today, who had lost loved ones during the pandemic. they have not been terribly impressed with what they heard. t terribly impressed with what they heard. . . . . terribly impressed with what they heard. . , , , ., heard. i had 'ust been listening to more heard. i had just been listening to more evidence _ heard. i had just been listening to more evidence given _ heard. i had just been listening to more evidence given that - heard. i had just been listening to more evidence given that he - heard. i had just been listening to i more evidence given that he classed people _ more evidence given that he classed people in— more evidence given that he classed people in care homes as bed blockers being _ people in care homes as bed blockers being taken— people in care homes as bed blockers being taken into hospital and being

bed blockers, and anybody over the a -e bed blockers, and anybody over the age of _ bed blockers, and anybody over the age of 18 _ bed blockers, and anybody over the age of 18 has basically had their innings— age of 18 has basically had their innings and they had seen the best of life _ innings and they had seen the best of life and — innings and they had seen the best of life and should be gone on, more or less _ of life and should be gone on, more or less -- _ of life and should be gone on, more or less —— anybody over the age of 80. or less —— anybody over the age of 80~ i_ or less —— anybody over the age of 80~ ifeel— or less —— anybody over the age of 80. i feel totally let down, totally betrayed — 80. i feel totally let down, totally betrayed by himself and the rest of the government to think about partygate, things went on behind closed _ partygate, things went on behind closed doors in number ten, i think it is the _ closed doors in number ten, i think it is the tip— closed doors in number ten, i think it is the tip of the iceberg.— it is the tip of the iceberg. amos, ou have it is the tip of the iceberg. amos, you have come — it is the tip of the iceberg. amos, you have come from _ it is the tip of the iceberg. amos, you have come from manchesterl it is the tip of the iceberg. amos, - you have come from manchester today, anything you have heard that matthew were not impressed when we spoke this morning, has anything changed your view from listening to him? still and impressed as a good description _ still and impressed as a good description to— still and impressed as a good description to say— still and impressed as a good description to say the - still and impressed as a good description to say the least. i still and impressed as a good i description to say the least. he still and impressed as a good - description to say the least. he was trying _ description to say the least. he was trying to— description to say the least. he was trying to say— description to say the least. he was trying to say he _ description to say the least. he was trying to say he followed, _ description to say the least. he was trying to say he followed, and - description to say the least. he was trying to say he followed, and it - trying to say he followed, and it looked — trying to say he followed, and it looked like _ trying to say he followed, and it looked like he _ trying to say he followed, and it looked like he was _ trying to say he followed, and it looked like he was trying - trying to say he followed, and it looked like he was trying to - looked like he was trying to choreograph— looked like he was trying to choreograph his _ looked like he was trying to choreograph his evidence, i looked like he was trying to. choreograph his evidence, to looked like he was trying to - choreograph his evidence, to fit in with the _ choreograph his evidence, to fit in with the scientific _ choreograph his evidence, to fit in with the scientific evidence. - choreograph his evidence, to fit in with the scientific evidence. the i with the scientific evidence. the reality— with the scientific evidence. the reality is — with the scientific evidence. the reality is although _ with the scientific evidence. the reality is although he _ with the scientific evidence. the reality is although he says - with the scientific evidence. the reality is although he says he i with the scientific evidence. the i reality is although he says he was balancing — reality is although he says he was balancing all— reality is although he says he was balancing all these _ reality is although he says he was

balancing all these factors - balancing all these factors together, _ balancing all these factors together, the _ balancing all these factors together, the only- balancing all these factors i together, the only comments balancing all these factors _ together, the only comments recorded and that— together, the only comments recorded and that people — together, the only comments recorded and that people talk _ together, the only comments recorded and that people talk about _ together, the only comments recorded and that people talk about are - together, the only comments recorded and that people talk about are these i and that people talk about are these incredibly— and that people talk about are these incredibly painful— and that people talk about are these incredibly painful and _ and that people talk about are these incredibly painful and traumatic - incredibly painful and traumatic comments. _ incredibly painful and traumatic comments, the _ incredibly painful and traumatic comments, the ones _ incredibly painful and traumatic comments, the ones like - incredibly painful and traumatic comments, the ones like lab. comments, the ones like lab research, _ comments, the ones like lab research, and _ comments, the ones like lab research, and people - comments, the ones like lab research, and people like . comments, the ones like lab| research, and people like my grandma, _ research, and people like my grandma, who— research, and people like my grandma, who had _ research, and people like my grandma, who had had - research, and people like my grandma, who had had a - research, and people like myl grandma, who had had a good research, and people like my- grandma, who had had a good innings. -- the _ grandma, who had had a good innings. -- the ones _ grandma, who had had a good innings. -- the ones like — grandma, who had had a good innings. —— the ones like larry— grandma, who had had a good innings. —— the ones like larry said. _ grandma, who had had a good innings. —— the ones like larry said. where - —— the ones like larry said. where are the _ —— the ones like larry said. where are the comments— —— the ones like larry said. where are the comments being - —— the ones like larry said. where are the comments being recorded| —— the ones like larry said. where i are the comments being recorded of him saying _ are the comments being recorded of him saying i— are the comments being recorded of him saying i am— are the comments being recorded of him saying i am really— are the comments being recorded of him saying i am really trying - are the comments being recorded of him saying i am really trying hard i him saying i am really trying hard to make — him saying i am really trying hard to make this— him saying i am really trying hard to make this decision? _ him saying i am really trying hard to make this decision? there - him saying i am really trying hard to make this decision? there are| to make this decision? there are none _ to make this decision? there are none we — to make this decision? there are none we know— to make this decision? there are none. we know about _ to make this decision? there are none. we know about the - to make this decision? there are i none. we know about the economy, to make this decision? there are - none. we know about the economy, the government— none. we know about the economy, the government was — none. we know about the economy, the government was focused _ none. we know about the economy, the government was focused on _ none. we know about the economy, the government was focused on brexit - none. we know about the economy, the government was focused on brexit at i government was focused on brexit at the beginning — government was focused on brexit at the beginning of— government was focused on brexit at the beginning of the _ government was focused on brexit at the beginning of the year, _ the beginning of the year, substantially. _ the beginning of the year, substantially. he - the beginning of the year, substantially. he missed. the beginning of the year, i substantially. he missed five the beginning of the year, - substantially. he missed five cobra meetings, — substantially. he missed five cobra meetings, he — substantially. he missed five cobra meetings, he was _ substantially. he missed five cobra meetings, he was not _ substantially. he missed five cobra meetings, he was not interested. i meetings, he was not interested. when _ meetings, he was not interested. when he — meetings, he was not interested. when he gave _ meetings, he was not interested. when he gave a _ meetings, he was not interested. when he gave a speech _ meetings, he was not interested. when he gave a speech in - meetings, he was not interested. i when he gave a speech in greenwich on fehruary— when he gave a speech in greenwich on february the _ when he gave a speech in greenwich on february the 4th _ when he gave a speech in greenwich on february the 4th he _ when he gave a speech in greenwich on february the 4th he was- when he gave a speech in greenwich on february the 4th he was talking i on february the 4th he was talking about— on february the 4th he was talking about some — on february the 4th he was talking about some country _ on february the 4th he was talking about some country having - on february the 4th he was talking about some country having to - on february the 4th he was talking about some country having to takei about some country having to take off its _ about some country having to take off its clark— about some country having to take off its clark kent _ about some country having to take off its clark kent spectacles - about some country having to take off its clark kent spectacles and i off its clark kent spectacles and basically — off its clark kent spectacles and basically not _ off its clark kent spectacles and basically not let _ off its clark kent spectacles and basically not let the _ off its clark kent spectacles and basically not let the economy i basically not let the economy suffer~ — basically not let the economy suffer~ that _ basically not let the economy suffer. that was _ basically not let the economy suffer. that was his - basically not let the economy. suffer. that was his mentality. basically not let the economy - suffer. that was his mentality. he is trying _ suffer. that was his mentality. he is trying to— suffer. that was his mentality. he is trying to retrofit _ suffer. that was his mentality. he is trying to retrofit his _ suffer. that was his mentality. he is trying to retrofit his evidence, l is trying to retrofit his evidence, looking — is trying to retrofit his evidence, looking back— is trying to retrofit his evidence, looking back at _ is trying to retrofit his evidence, looking back at the _ is trying to retrofit his evidence, looking back at the scientific- looking back at the scientific evidence, _ looking back at the scientific evidence, trying _ looking back at the scientific evidence, trying to - looking back at the scientific evidence, trying to blame i looking back at the scientific- evidence, trying to blame others. he

said he _ evidence, trying to blame others. he said he would apologise _ evidence, trying to blame others. he said he would apologise today, - evidence, trying to blame others. he said he would apologise today, the i said he would apologise today, the apology— said he would apologise today, the apology has — said he would apologise today, the apology has been— said he would apologise today, the apology has been so _ said he would apologise today, the i apology has been so mealy—mouthed because _ apology has been so mealy—mouthed because we _ apology has been so mealy—mouthed because we do— apology has been so mealy—mouthed because we do not— apology has been so mealy—mouthed because we do not know— apology has been so mealy—mouthed because we do not know what - apology has been so mealy—mouthed because we do not know what he - apology has been so mealy—mouthedi because we do not know what he was apologising _ because we do not know what he was apologising for~ — because we do not know what he was apologising for~ it _ because we do not know what he was apologising for. it is _ because we do not know what he was apologising for. it is not _ because we do not know what he was apologising for. it is not really- because we do not know what he was apologising for. it is not really an- apologising for. it is not really an apology. — apologising for. it is not really an apology. as — apologising for. it is not really an apology. as far— apologising for. it is not really an apology. as far as _ apologising for. it is not really an apology, as far as i _ apologising for. it is not really an apology, as far as i am _ apologising for. it is not really an. apology, as far as i am concerned, and certainly— apology, as far as i am concerned, and certainly does _ apology, as far as i am concerned, and certainly does not _ apology, as far as i am concerned, and certainly does not excuse - apology, as far as i am concerned, and certainly does not excuse the i and certainly does not excuse the horrendous — and certainly does not excuse the horrendous death— and certainly does not excuse the horrendous death toll, _ and certainly does not excuse the horrendous death toll, which - horrendous death toll, which although— horrendous death toll, which although he _ horrendous death toll, which although he would _ horrendous death toll, which although he would not- horrendous death toll, which| although he would not accept horrendous death toll, which - although he would not accept this morning. — although he would not accept this morning. the _ although he would not accept this morning. the uk_ although he would not accept this morning, the uk has— although he would not accept this i morning, the uk has unquestionably had one _ morning, the uk has unquestionably had one of— morning, the uk has unquestionably had one of the — morning, the uk has unquestionably had one of the worst _ morning, the uk has unquestionably had one of the worst death - morning, the uk has unquestionably had one of the worst death tolls - morning, the uk has unquestionably had one of the worst death tolls in i had one of the worst death tolls in europe _ had one of the worst death tolls in europe and — had one of the worst death tolls in europe and the _ had one of the worst death tolls in europe and the world. _ had one of the worst death tolls in europe and the world. he - had one of the worst death tolls in europe and the world.— had one of the worst death tolls in europe and the world. he has debated this this morning, _ europe and the world. he has debated this this morning, depending - europe and the world. he has debated this this morning, depending on - this this morning, depending on which statistics you look at. some of those whatsapp messages were not really meant, obviously, to be seen subsequently. it has been described as gallows humour in the past but it does not make for easy viewing, quite clearly. what do you say to the argument that politicians are only human?— the argument that politicians are only human? the argument that politicians are onl human? , . , , only human? they are politicians but the are only human? they are politicians but they are also — only human? they are politicians but they are also leading _ only human? they are politicians but they are also leading our— only human? they are politicians but they are also leading our country - they are also leading our country and they— they are also leading our country and they had set at such a bad example — and they had set at such a bad example by the way they have handled

it. it example by the way they have handled it it is _ example by the way they have handled it it is the _ example by the way they have handled it. it is the betrayal and all of the lights. they broke all the rules, — the lights. they broke all the rules, they parted, they wield a suitcase — rules, they parted, they wield a suitcase down the road full of booze, — suitcase down the road full of booze, snacks and everything else. they had _ booze, snacks and everything else. they had music, they partied while we all— they had music, they partied while we all suffered. i had to bury my father— we all suffered. i had to bury my father under extreme circumstances. it was _ father under extreme circumstances. it was the _ father under extreme circumstances. it was the second death in my family within— it was the second death in my family within seven weeks and i had to go by their— within seven weeks and i had to go by their rules and regulations and only have — by their rules and regulations and only have ten people at my father's funeral _ only have ten people at my father's funeral under extreme times. i had to try— funeral under extreme times. i had to try to— funeral under extreme times. i had to try to coerce with the undertakers because they had run out of coffins _ undertakers because they had run out of coffins i_ undertakers because they had run out of coffins. i had just left the hospital— of coffins. i had just left the hospital when an hour and a half later— hospital when an hour and a half later they— hospital when an hour and a half later they called me to tell me they had no _ later they called me to tell me they had no room in the morgue, but giant -- could _ had no room in the morgue, but giant -- could i_ had no room in the morgue, but giant —— could i organise for my father to be removed? — —— could i organise for my father to be removed? it was unbelievable, horrendous times we went through. theyiust _

horrendous times we went through. theyjust seem to sit on a pedestal, make _ theyjust seem to sit on a pedestal, make the _ theyjust seem to sit on a pedestal, make the rules that break them. is make the rules that break them. is there make the rules that break them. us there anything you could hear this afternoon that would mitigate any of your feelings? afternoon that would mitigate any of yourfeelings? i afternoon that would mitigate any of your feelings?— your feelings? i don't think so. on our last your feelings? i don't think so. on your last point. — your feelings? i don't think so. on your last point, they _ your feelings? i don't think so. on your last point, they are _ your feelings? i don't think so. on your last point, they are supposed to be _ your last point, they are supposed to be humans but unfortunately their comments _ to be humans but unfortunately their comments and behaviour is not like that. _ comments and behaviour is not like that. it _ comments and behaviour is not like that. it felt — comments and behaviour is not like that, it felt like they were in an ivory— that, it felt like they were in an ivory tower— that, it felt like they were in an ivory tower forgetting what it was like to _ ivory tower forgetting what it was like to actually be in the population. what's more, there were politicians— population. what's more, there were politicians around the world, i will never _ politicians around the world, i will never forget jacinda ardern saying at the _ never forget jacinda ardern saying at the beginning when she heard about— at the beginning when she heard about borisjohnson, that isjust not an— about borisjohnson, that isjust not an approach i could follow because — not an approach i could follow because people's lights are important. she respected and protected those lives. when he kept saying _ protected those lives. when he kept saying protecting lives was important, it did not feel like that and we _ important, it did not feel like that and we could see the results. quite damnint and we could see the results. quite damning stuff— and we could see the results. quite damning stuff from _ and we could see the results. quite damning stuff from some _ and we could see the results. quite damning stuff from some of - and we could see the results. qt its: damning stuff from some of the people who were watching in the room. itjust goes to show the lengths that borisjohnson would

need to go to to try to make his apology heartfelt, and the strength of feeling, you can see some of the protesters outside, waiting in the cold for borisjohnson to come out, just so they feel their voices being heard. most have not even been able to sit inside the inquiry room today. we have a huge amount of the world's media here and it gives you a sense of how enormous today has beenin a sense of how enormous today has been in terms of this covid inquiry. lots of this afternoon has been talking about the technical side of things, the timing of issues, one of the areas talked about was the tightening of lockdown, particularly what was being considered. boris johnson said, and i think it speaks to the idea that he was sometimes indecisive and flip—flopped in his decision on what to do, he tried to explain by saying there were lots of issues he needed to get hold of and

he said there were certain groups we did not pay too much attention to, people with professionaljobs were able to sit through lockdown, he said, many lower paid people had a much more difficult experience. he said that fed into his decisions about the second lockdown in the autumn of 2020 which maybe meant it felt it needed to be delayed. i mention just before the idea felt it needed to be delayed. i mentionjust before the idea of felt it needed to be delayed. i mention just before the idea of matt hancock, how he was satisfied with matt hancock as health secretary. it was put to him that this chaos in the department of health and social care, matt hancock's department. borisjohnson said he was not aware of it at the time. boris johnson said he was not aware of it at the time.— of it at the time. certainly i was aware that _ of it at the time. certainly i was aware that the _ of it at the time. certainly i was aware that the dhsc _ of it at the time. certainly i was aware that the dhsc was - of it at the time. certainly i was aware that the dhsc was under| of it at the time. certainly i was . aware that the dhsc was under fire from loads— aware that the dhsc was under fire from loads of people, but that was hardly— from loads of people, but that was hardly surprising because the country— hardly surprising because the country was going through a horrific pandemic — country was going through a horrific pandemic. the point is you have a

lot of— pandemic. the point is you have a lot of very— pandemic. the point is you have a lot of very talented, sometimes super—confident, sometimes egotistical, people who were questioned with anxiety about what was happening to their country, who are racked _ was happening to their country, who are racked secretly with self—doubt and self—criticism and to externalise that by criticising others — externalise that by criticising others. it is human nature. when you are the _ others. it is human nature. when you are the leader in those circumstances, yourjob is to work out what — circumstances, yourjob is to work out what is — circumstances, yourjob is to work out what isjustified circumstances, yourjob is to work out what is justified and what is people — out what is justified and what is people sounding off, and what is political — people sounding off, and what is political nonsense. myjudgment was that matt _ political nonsense. myjudgment was that matt was, on the whole, doing a -ood that matt was, on the whole, doing a good job— that matt was, on the whole, doing a good job in— that matt was, on the whole, doing a good job in very difficult circumstances and there was no advantage in moving him, as i was being _ advantage in moving him, as i was being urged to do. on the lead department points, i think that, yes. _ department points, i think that, yes. it _ department points, i think that, yes. it was _ department points, i think that, yes, it was a huge burden to be the

lead department for a while, but that morphed into the centre running anything. _ that morphed into the centre running anything, and that was inevitable. a very anything, and that was inevitable. very busy day for boris johnson very busy day for borisjohnson today. sorry if i seemed distracted, i keep keeping a eye on him leaving, we expect him to walk out any minute. you can see all the people waiting for his departure. it was technical, we talked about timing, about lockdowns, at one point he seemed to be emotional, talking about how 2020 was a tragic year. there will be more tomorrow, there will be questions about partygate, that was the issue where senior politicians, not least borisjohnson himself, were fined for breaking lockdown rules, the rules he himself had created. there were deemed to

have been parties in downing street and beyond. that will no doubt come up. we will give you a sense of timing is tomorrow, there will be more questions from the main lead counsel to the inquiry, hugo keith, to borisjohnson. his testimony was expected to stop at around lunchtime. then, it will be very interesting, questions from lawyers representing bereaved families, those suffering with long covid and various other protesters here today. i think some of those questions will be particularly moving and emotional for borisjohnson to deal with. if you thought today was busy, there will be far more tomorrow, and boris johnson will go home presumably and do more homework tonight as he prepares for tomorrow. back do more homework tonight as he prepares for tomorrow.— do more homework tonight as he prepares for tomorrow. back to you. most brits have _ prepares for tomorrow. back to you. most brits have emerged _ prepares for tomorrow. back to you. most brits have emerged in - prepares for tomorrow. back to you. most brits have emerged in the - prepares for tomorrow. back to you. i most brits have emerged in the uk's conservative party of a prime minister rishi sunak�*s flagship

rwanda legislation. home secretary james cleverly signed a new treaty with rwanda yesterday after the supreme court found previous plans were unlawful. today the former home secretary suella braverman told the house of commons that the party faces what she called electoral oblivion in a matter of months if they introduce emergency rwanda legislation which is destined to fail. ht legislation which is destined to fail. . legislation which is destined to fail. , ., , . . legislation which is destined to fail. , . . , fail. it is no secret that i support leavint fail. it is no secret that i support leaving the _ fail. it is no secret that i support leaving the european _ fail. it is no secret that i support leaving the european convention fail. it is no secret that i support i leaving the european convention on human rights and replacing the human rights act with a british bill of rights act with a british bill of rights protects the vulnerable and our national security and finishes the job of brexit by extricating us from the foreign court and restores real parliamentary supremacy. but i accept that the government will not do that and it is a debate for another day. and crucially, when it comes to stopping the boats now, leaving this is not the only way to

cut the knot. emergency legislation would enable this only against the following tests. firstly, the bill must address the supreme court my concerns about the safety of rwanda. secondly, the bill must enable flights before the next election by blocking off all routes of challenge. the powers to detain and remove must be exerciseable, notwithstanding the human rights act, the european convention on human rights, the refugee convention and all other international law. thirdly, the bill must remedy deficiencies in the illegal migration act to ensure that removals can take place within days rather than allowing individual claims and challenges which drag on for months. fourth, the bill must enable the administrative detention of illegal arrivals until they are removed. just as you rapidly build

nightingale hospital to deal with covid, so we must build nightingale style detention facilities to deliver the necessary capacity. greece and turkey have done so and the only way to do this, as i advocated for in government, it is with the support of defence. fifth, parliament must be prepared to search over christmas to get this bill done —— must be prepared to sit over christmas. this comes down to a simple question, who governs britain? where does the ultimate authority for the uk light? is it with the british people and their elected representatives, or is it, in the vague, shifting and unaccountable concept of international law? by suella braverman in the commons giving a

personal statement. the actorjamie foxx made his first public appearance after suffering four months with a mysterious life—threatening illness. he life-threatening illness. he received a _ life—threatening illness. he received a standing ovation while walking across the stage at a los angeles award ceremony. it marks the first time he has attempted to hollywood gathering since april where he was sidelined by a sudden medical complication. he became emotional while receiving his award. —— his reward. it feels good to be here. i cherish every single minute now. it is different, you know? it is different. i wouldn't wish what i went through on my worst enemy, because it is tough when you almost... when it is almost over and you see the tunnel, and you see the

light. it was hot in that tunnel, i did not know where i was going. more on that story — did not know where i was going. more on that story on _ did not know where i was going. more on that story on the _ did not know where i was going. more on that story on the website. we are about to take a break, i will show you live pictures from the middle east. rafah, we have seen incidents and fires, targets being hit in rafah. let's go to khan younis where casualties are being taken as israeli forces continue to encircle khan younis. let's bring you some of the latest comments coming in in the last little while, the united nations humanitarian coordinator in the territory, lynn hastings. israel's foreign minister said earlier that the resident visa of

lynn hastings will be revoked after a refusal, in their view, to speak out against hamas. she has just been talking tojeremy bowen and said what has happened in gaza is probably one of the most serious humanitarian crises simply because of the uniqueness of the situation, this is one of the only places in the world where the people are actually trapped. we will bring you more of those comments, more on the situation in the middle east in the next few minutes. but now the latest weather. earlier on there were around 20 flood warnings. this is the first belt of cloud starting to bring rain this evening and two more western areas of the uk. it will run eastwards and into the cold air, a very cold start in scotland today, it has remained below freezing in some places. any extant fog in east anglia will left,

briefly some snow over the tops of the pennines, could be quite dicey if you are travelling along the a9 in scotland with snow over the hills and icy conditions, maybe turning back to rain at the end of the night as temperatures start to rise above freezing. milderairfrom as temperatures start to rise above freezing. milder airfrom the atlantic, the winter picking up too. atlantic, the winter picking up too. a southerly wind that heads our way into thursday and more rain coming from the west. after wet weather overnight the second hand of rain coming in here could be heavy rain, maybe an inch or two of the hills of south—west england, south wales and southern scotland. the rain takes all day to reach east anglia and the south—west. thursday will be windy, could be touch gale force, temperatures higher than today. seven or eight in scotland and eastern england, double figure is likely in northern ireland, west wales and the south—west of england. the band of rain continues eastwards

tomorrow evening into the north sea, lingering towards shetland on friday, the main driver is the area of low pressure. it will wander eastwards across the uk, there may be some early sunshine, showers and longer spells of rain. friday is still quite windy across southern areas of the uk but it is milder air, temperatures could reach nine in scotland and maybe 12 or 13 in the south—east of england. into the weekend we keep this run of west to south westerly winds, the weather pales in from the atlantic. it will not be a complete wash—out, there will be sunshine and maybe few showers in between these spells of rain, driven on by strong winds which should keep it on the milder side.

live from london, this is bbc news. are you going to apologise to the bereaved families, mrjohnson? britain's former prime minister borisjohnson gives evidence to the covid inquiry admitting his government underestimated the challenge

of the pandemic. i am deeply sorry for the pain and the loss and the suffering of those victims, and theirfamilies. and as boris gave his is evidence, inside, the protesters waited for him outside. his apology was not enough for them. heavy fighting, as israeli tanks close in on three areas of the gaza strip. the un says 600,000 people are under evacuation orders. a new hillsborough charter promises orforms for the a new hillsborough charter promises or forms for the deaths of fans. campaigners say it falls short. hello, welcome to today's