in the coming weeks. and a week from the first republican primary in iowa, we will take a look at the state of the race. can haley or de santis make any in roads to donald trump commanding lead in the polls? our panel tonight, the former communications director in number ten, guto harri. and from oakland, california, amanda renteria, who served as political director for hillary clinton in 2016. but let's start in the middle east, secretary blinken making his fourth visit to the region since israel began the bombardment of gaza on october seventh. and he is there at a pivotal moment. today a senior commander with the islamist hezbollah movement was reportedly killed in an apparent israeli drone strike in southern lebanon. and israel's prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, was on the northern border today

where he signalled that he is prepared, if necessary, to escalate military operations in lebanon, with 80,000 israeli's now displaced from their homes. to the south, the death toll in gaza, stands at 23,000, according to the hamas—run health ministry. and so intense is the fighting that several aid agencies have now begun withdrawing medics from the only functioning hospital in central gaza. on his visit to qatar, secretary blinken said washington has "an intense focus on preventing this conflict from spreading," and a warning to some members of the israeli government. palestinian civilians must be able to return home as soon as conditions allow. they cannot, they must not, be pressed to leave gaza. we reject the statements by some israeli ministers and lawmakers calling for a resettlement of palestinians outside of gaza.

amanda, the american administration very conscious of what is happening. i want to show you a video, president biden hasjust i want to show you a video, president biden has just arrived i want to show you a video, president biden hasjust arrived in charleston, he is at the church were backin charleston, he is at the church were back in 2015 nine african—americans were shot dead. it was about to make a speech, when this happened. without the truth, there is no lights, without light there is no path from this darkness. if lights, without light there is no path from this darkness.- path from this darkness. if you really care _ path from this darkness. if you really care about _ path from this darkness. if you really care about the _ path from this darkness. if you really care about the lives - path from this darkness. if you really care about the lives lost | really care about the lives lost here _ really care about the lives lost here then _ really care about the lives lost here then you should honour the lives _ here then you should honour the lives lost — here then you should honour the lives lost and call for a ceasefire in palestine!— in palestine! ceasefire now! ceasefire — in palestine! ceasefire now! ceasefire now! _ in palestine! ceasefire now! ceasefire now! it's - in palestine! ceasefire now! ceasefire now! it's all - in palestine! ceasefire now! ceasefire now! it's all right, j in palestine! ceasefire now! - ceasefire now! it's all right, it's all riaht, ceasefire now! it's all right, it's all right. it's — ceasefire now! it's all right, it's all right, it's all— ceasefire now! it's all right, it's all right, it's all right... - ceasefire now! it's all right, it's all right, it's all right... for- all right, it's all right... for more years! _ all right, it's all right... for more years! four _ all right, it's all right... for more years! four more years! all right, it's all right... for- more years! four more years! thank ou. more years! four more years! thank

you. look. — more years! four more years! thank yom look. folks. — more years! four more years! thank you. look, folks, i— more years! four more years! thank you. look, folks, i understand... - more years! four more years! thank you. look, folks, i understand... i. you. look, folks, iunderstand... i understand is your passion. i've been quietly working with the israeli government to get them to reduce, significantly, get out of gaza. ~ ., ., �*, reduce, significantly, get out of gaza. �* . . �*, . gaza. so, amanda, let's look at the olitics of gaza. so, amanda, let's look at the politics of this. _ gaza. so, amanda, let's look at the politics of this. according _ gaza. so, amanda, let's look at the politics of this. according to - politics of this. according to ratings and the key swing stakes to be it is down 2a points, it is down 14 be it is down 2a points, it is down 1a points among african—americans, he can't afford to lose the support of arab americans are muslim americans, can he?— of arab americans are muslim americans, can he? that's right, this is an important _ americans, can he? that's right, this is an important big - americans, can he? that's right, this is an important big tent - americans, can he? that's right, this is an important big tent that | this is an important big tent that biden needs to be in, building one community at a time, and in a very contentious, top environment right now where he is trying to govern through some very complex differences globally, domestically,

and that's what you're seeing here. i also think this is clearly the election cycle has begun, you are going to see more of this on the campaign trail, every campaign prepares for this kind of thing. it generally doesn't happen in churches, but we are at time political discourse, so this isjust a reawakening, a reawakening, a reminder that wherever you are there as a political conversation to be had, i know that you have two, and as you saw in the statement that he made back, i understand what is happening, and at the same time he is addressing an audience about a historical moment it's happening right now, and thinking about south carolina and those voters are there. how concerned will he be as to how this is unfolding on the ground? we have had a fairly strong rebuke today from the secretary of state and some of the things they've heard from the usually government about palestinians being forced out of gaza, they didn't get a heads up on the killing of this hamas operative in beirut, i now today they have had the killing of a fairly prominent

killerfrom hezbollah in southern lebanon. there is the risk that it escalates. you think they are in control of the situation, and do think there might be discussing a bit more stick within the national council now? 50. bit more stick within the national council now?— bit more stick within the national council now? , ., ., , council now? so, there is no doubt that this administration _ council now? so, there is no doubt that this administration has - council now? so, there is no doubt that this administration has been l that this administration has been ready to be able to confront things on multiple levels. the idea that they weren't told that someone was in is quite disturbing for everyone, and you are actually seeing people really respond to that but inside the white house, outside the white house, and say, wait a second, how are communications patterns working on this administration? particularly as things get more intense, but again you have very seasoned senior officials who have, since day one, been navigating very challenging times, so i have confidence in them, but there is no doubt they will have to do a lot more communicating externally, notjust about to do a lot more communicating externally, not just about what is happening now globally but also within their own administration so

there is a resurgence of confidence that they can do multiple things at once, because there is no doubt it's going to get even more intense as this election cycle continues going forward. , ., , ., this election cycle continues going forward. , . , ., ., forward. there is a statement from the idf forward. there is a statement from the wp today _ forward. there is a statement from the idf today that _ forward. there is a statement from the idf today that they _ forward. there is a statement from the idf today that they are - forward. there is a statement from the idf today that they are moving | the idf today that they are moving to the next phase in the conflict, which is timely, of course, with secretary blinken arriving in tel aviv tonight, but it doesn't look like a new phase in the ground, 250 killed in the study for hours, many more injured. it looks much the same. it more in'ured. it looks much the same. ., , more in'ured. it looks much the same, ., , more in'ured. it looks much the same. ., , . same. it does look much the same, and i'm same. it does look much the same, and fm 6000 _ same. it does look much the same, and i'm 6000 miles _ same. it does look much the same, and i'm 6000 miles away _ same. it does look much the same, and i'm 6000 miles away from - same. it does look much the same, i and i'm 6000 miles away from what's happening _ and i'm 6000 miles away from what's happening on the ground in the us, but it's_ happening on the ground in the us, but it's a _ happening on the ground in the us, but it's a bad look when you are clearly — but it's a bad look when you are clearly trying to say to an ally who has largely depended on your support historically, that you don't want them _ historically, that you don't want them to— historically, that you don't want them to carry on doing something makes _ them to carry on doing something makes the — them to carry on doing something makes the us, i dare say, look less powerful— makes the us, i dare say, look less powerful in — makes the us, i dare say, look less powerful in some peoples eyes, look a little _ powerful in some peoples eyes, look a little bit _ powerful in some peoples eyes, look a little bit impotent, and that is not a _ a little bit impotent, and that is not a good look politically in the

us, and — not a good look politically in the us, and clearly, though i must say the president sort of contained that otherwise _ the president sort of contained that otherwise embarrassing situation tonight, — otherwise embarrassing situation tonight, got it back on track, didh'l— tonight, got it back on track, didn't lose his own cool, which is pretty— didn't lose his own cool, which is pretty admirable and a sign of his experience, but it's not a good look on your— experience, but it's not a good look on your own — experience, but it's not a good look on your own people are sort of screaming _ on your own people are sort of screaming at you that you are caught between _ screaming at you that you are caught between a _ screaming at you that you are caught between a rock and a hard place, when _ between a rock and a hard place, when you — between a rock and a hard place, when you are asking for to happen, it's not— when you are asking for to happen, it's not happening, it makes you look— it's not happening, it makes you look weak — it's not happening, it makes you look weak. i it's not happening, it makes you look weak-— it's not happening, it makes you look weak. ., ., ., ,, ., , look weak. i want to talk about why this miaht look weak. i want to talk about why this might have _ look weak. i want to talk about why this might have an _ look weak. i want to talk about why this might have an impact - look weak. i want to talk about why this might have an impact at - look weak. i want to talk about why j this might have an impact at home, so i wanted look at shipping in the red sea. from houthi rebels that are firing from yemen, is already having an effect on prices, and may well undo some of the progress that has been made in recent months on food inflation. a lot of our basic food stuffs, rice, tea, coffee, palm oil, to name but a few, comes through the suez canal. but so steep are the insurance costs for that cargo, given the risk from drones and missiles, that a lot of that produce is now being sent around the cape of good hope — adding an extra 20 days to the route. what does that mean for the price

of shipping containers? have a listen. marco forgione is the director—general of the institute of export and international trade. we are in a time when the container rates are frankly going through the roof. we are going to see, definitely, price pressure, we are going to see the possibility of shrinkflation, and also availability problems. and we are going to start to see those in the next week or so because the delays have been in place for about a month now, so stocks will be running low. and that cost is already being passed on to consumers. rachael waring is the managing director of an independent furniture company, warings furniture. she explained to radio it how her buiness was being affected. it is really problematic, not just for us but for our client. it just knocks out all of the profit from the job, to be perfectly honest. at the moment, the pricing, we have had a live price today for a container and it has now shot up already to about $4500. when we are now confirming prices for the end of this year and the beginning of the following year, we are going to have to bake

in the potential increase, because we don't know how long this is going to go on for. i can't see it changing any time soon. from $1200 the defence secretary, the grant shapps, said today in a house that it's rotating from one or two that is there, so they're not escalating this, but it's not something that gets solved quickly or militarily, and after all the progress it's being made on inflation, this could unravel pretty quickly, couldn't it? it inflation, this could unravel pretty quickly, couldn't it?— quickly, couldn't it? it could. the knock-on — quickly, couldn't it? it could. the knock-on effect _ quickly, couldn't it? it could. the knock-on effect is _ quickly, couldn't it? it could. the knock-on effect is pretty - quickly, couldn't it? it could. the| knock-on effect is pretty obvious. knock—on effect is pretty obvious. you send — knock—on effect is pretty obvious. you send someone on a massive diversion — you send someone on a massive diversion and it adds to the cost, even _ diversion and it adds to the cost, even with— diversion and it adds to the cost, even with the price of crude being lower— even with the price of crude being lower than— even with the price of crude being lower than it was, if they go through— lower than it was, if they go through an incredibly risky piece of sea then— through an incredibly risky piece of sea then insurance and all the rest of it goes— sea then insurance and all the rest of it goes through the roof, not to

mention— of it goes through the roof, not to mention people who don't want to do that. there's a lot of good role in the world — that. there's a lot of good role in the world to go forward, if you watch — the world to go forward, if you watch the _ the world to go forward, if you watch the film, forgive me for trivialising it, if you like, captain— trivialising it, if you like, captain phillips, you look at an assault— captain phillips, you look at an assault on— captain phillips, you look at an assault on the ship where there the only defence is water cannons. we need _ only defence is water cannons. we need people to the police service. the problem is the insurance costs? insurance might come down, people are on— insurance might come down, people are on board and who are on to the teeth. _ are on board and who are on to the teeth. and — are on board and who are on to the teeth, and their old trains, randomly armed bunch of amateurs. the political problem here is people are not— the political problem here is people are not comfortable with joining an operation — are not comfortable with joining an operation that would be seen to be endorsing — operation that would be seen to be endorsing israel's aims in gaza. if you could — endorsing israel's aims in gaza. if you could take that off the table and say — you could take that off the table and say it's not about that, it's about— and say it's not about that, it's about global trade, it matters to all of—

about global trade, it matters to all of us, — about global trade, it matters to all of us, the ships are not part of the war. — all of us, the ships are not part of the war, their basic carrying goods from _ the war, their basic carrying goods from one _ the war, their basic carrying goods from one part of the country to another, — from one part of the country to another, it— from one part of the country to another, it cannot be beyond the wit of men _ another, it cannot be beyond the wit of men and — another, it cannot be beyond the wit of men and women at the higher levels _ of men and women at the higher levels of— of men and women at the higher levels of global politics to sort this out — levels of global politics to sort this out. ~ ,., levels of global politics to sort this out. ~ ~ ., ., this out. we saw, amanda, through the covid era _ this out. we saw, amanda, through the covid era and _ this out. we saw, amanda, through the covid era and at _ this out. we saw, amanda, through the covid era and at the _ this out. we saw, amanda, through the covid era and at the time - this out. we saw, amanda, through the covid era and at the time of- this out. we saw, amanda, through the covid era and at the time of the| the covid era and at the time of the russian invasion of ukraine, what this does to our supply chains. we have ships and cargo supply vessels in the wrong place, containers out of sync, higherfuel in the wrong place, containers out of sync, higher fuel costs, in the wrong place, containers out of sync, higherfuel costs, of course, and that is why, i guess, in an election year, president biden would want this sorted too. this is not like the somali situation, this is through 0rion, and the arab states don't have any persuasion over hamas and hezbollah and the houthis. . �* , ~ houthis. that's right, i think the conversation _ houthis. that's right, i think the conversation about _ houthis. that's right, i think the conversation about how - houthis. that's right, i think the conversation about how you - houthis. that's right, i think the| conversation about how you take houthis. that's right, i think the - conversation about how you take this away from what is happening

politically with what is happening at kitchen tables and why we need to do everything we can globally to make sure the supply chain is not interrupted is going to be a very important conversation to have, in order to find the right solution, to make sure that the economy continues going on the right direction, not only for an election cycle but really for the people around the world, we all know what it felt like to have a supply chain crunch, so folks know what that feels like, and now this administration and administrations around the globe can say this is a solution for the time being while we try to figure out. this is a big challenge i think for the next couple of months that will be absolutely critical for the campaign largely.— be absolutely critical for the campaign largely. be absolutely critical for the camaiuunlarel. . ., . ., campaign largely. yeah, watch that comes with — campaign largely. yeah, watch that comes with a _ campaign largely. yeah, watch that comes with a four— campaign largely. yeah, watch that comes with a four prices _ campaign largely. yeah, watch that comes with a four prices continue l campaign largely. yeah, watch that| comes with a four prices continue to go up. they talked about putting troops and ships, the high risk

environment. a situation where the secretary of defence goes awol. which is effectively what happened over the new year period. for several days the president and the seniorfigures in the national security team were unaware that lloyd austin was incapacitated at the walter reed hospital, and had delegated his responsibilities to his deputy. he resumed his full duties on friday evening, according to the pentagon. but questions surrounding the secrecy around his condition have drawn scrutiny. so let's take a look at what we know. 0n the 22nd of december, lloyd austin underwent an elective medical procedure. he went home the following day, the 23rd of december. then on the first ofjaunary, an ambulance was called to his home and he was taken to icu at walter reed for severe pain. the next day the chair of thejoint chiefs was notified. austin's deputy, kathleen hicks, assumed duties. but she was in puerto rico at the time, and wasn't told until the fourth of january why she was assuming his duties. the same day that president biden learnt for the first time his defence secretary was still in hospital. not until the fifth of january was congress notified,

at which point the pentagon publicly disclosed his illness. one person who's been particularly unsympathetic is the former vice president mike pence. here's a little of what he's had to say. to think that at a time when we have allies at war in europe and here in israel, that the leader of america's military at the pentagon would be out of commission for a number of days, and the president of the united states did not know about it, i think it was a dereliction of duty, and the secretary and the administration frankly need to step forward and give the american people the facts. he isa he is a very private person, lloyd austin, and the public doesn't necessarily need to know what's wrong with him, but the chain of command certainly need to know, and his deputy he was assuming his duties. it's truly bizarre, what happened. i duties. it's truly bizarre, what happened-—

duties. it's truly bizarre, what happened. duties. it's truly bizarre, what ha ened. ~ ., �*, �*, happened. i think that's right, it's bizarre, happened. i think that's right, it's bizarre. and _ happened. i think that's right, it's bizarre, and i— happened. i think that's right, it's bizarre, and i have _ happened. i think that's right, it's bizarre, and i have a _ happened. i think that's right, it's bizarre, and i have a feeling - happened. i think that's right, it's bizarre, and i have a feeling we'll| bizarre, and i have a feeling we'll learn a heck of a lot more in the coming weeks as they continue to communicate what happened during that period of time. i also think it's important to note that at the end of the year during christmas holiday, during the new year, in a more remote environment than we have had before this kind of situation, and so a lot of the protocols and communications are getting reconfigured, but there is no doubt this will shine a light on how you do that going forward, and frankly what the public has a right to know, even though there are privacy laws and protections about that, we are communicating a heck of a lot more and there's a lot of distrust, it will require cabinet members to be more communicative about these things and even about personal matters. i think you'll see that change now and going forward. let me read ou a change now and going forward. let me read you a statement. _ change now and going forward. let me read you a statement. he _ change now and going forward. let me read you a statement. he said, - change now and going forward. let me read you a statement. he said, i - change now and going forward. let me read you a statement. he said, i i

even in this position, strangely, because boris johnson even in this position, strangely, because borisjohnson was incapacitated by covid. is there a protocol for this kind of thing, and can you keep it private when you're in the public eye as you are? i use to assume — in the public eye as you are? i use to assume you _ in the public eye as you are? i use to assume you never _ in the public eye as you are? i use to assume you never keep - in the public eye as you are? i use to assume you never keep it - in the public eye as you are? i use to assume you never keep it private even _ to assume you never keep it private even if _ to assume you never keep it private even if you — to assume you never keep it private even if you wanted to, and it wouldn't _ even if you wanted to, and it wouldn't be right. i can't see how a situation _ wouldn't be right. i can't see how a situation where this happens, this is not _ situation where this happens, this is not a _ situation where this happens, this is not a marginal figure, this key member— is not a marginal figure, this key member of— is not a marginal figure, this key member of administration at a time when _ member of administration at a time when there — member of administration at a time when there is a high military alert, and yes, _ when there is a high military alert, and yes, it's — when there is a high military alert, and yes, it's the new year, but one of the _ and yes, it's the new year, but one of the prices — and yes, it's the new year, but one of the prices are going into politics— of the prices are going into politics is that there is no time off, if— politics is that there is no time off, if you _ politics is that there is no time off, if you like, and the idea that nobody— off, if you like, and the idea that nobody clocked, my understanding is his chief— nobody clocked, my understanding is his chief of— nobody clocked, my understanding is his chief of staff was up at the time, — his chief of staff was up at the time, maybe that's where it breaks down, _ time, maybe that's where it breaks down, because to be fair with him, if you _ down, because to be fair with him, if you are _ down, because to be fair with him, if you are ill— down, because to be fair with him, if you are ill and you're a 70—year—old, there's a point at which _ 70—year—old, there's a point at which you — 70—year—old, there's a point at which you don't care so much about informing _ which you don't care so much about informing the right people, you're fighting _ informing the right people, you're fighting for your health, but if

your— fighting for your health, but if your office is so dysfunctional they don't _ your office is so dysfunctional they don't tip _ your office is so dysfunctional they don't tip off the white house and they don't explain to your deputy, they don't explain to your deputy, they don't— they don't explain to your deputy, they don't extend to your deputy in terms _ they don't extend to your deputy in terms that— they don't extend to your deputy in terms that makes you want to come back from _ terms that makes you want to come back from puerto rico, no matter what _ back from puerto rico, no matter what should've happened, she should have been_ what should've happened, she should have been summoned back, you know, 400.000 _ have been summoned back, you know, 400,000 odd americans are not thinking, — 400,000 odd americans are not thinking, where is the chief of, you know, _ thinking, where is the chief of, you know. the — thinking, where is the chief of, you know, the defence secretary to the most _ know, the defence secretary to the most powerful army the world has ever seen— most powerful army the world has ever seen that the time of heightened military tension, its extraordinary, and it's unfortunate that the _ extraordinary, and it's unfortunate that the man himself. i extraordinary, and it's unfortunate that the man himself.— extraordinary, and it's unfortunate that the man himself. i 'ust wonder whether this — that the man himself. ijust wonder whether this snowboard, _ that the man himself. ijust wonder whether this snowboard, so - that the man himself. ijust wonder whether this snowboard, so he - whether this snowboard, so he kept the original elective surgery private, he doesn't expect to be going back in for a pain on new year's day, because it is not informed anyone about the elective surgery he can't tell them they have he is back in hospital, and he might think is out the next day, but it's quite serious and it goes on and on, and when you are four or five days in, you are in a real mess.- in, you are in a real mess. yeah, that's exactly _

in, you are in a real mess. yeah, that's exactly right, _ in, you are in a real mess. yeah, that's exactly right, is _ in, you are in a real mess. yeah, that's exactly right, is a - that's exactly right, is a former chief of staff, you try and keep track of it all, but what is most bizarre to me is that the chief of staff wasn't informed, wasn't aware, didn't get a call from family members that this is happening. that's usually the closeness of the chief of staff. more and more, cabinet members are beginning to understand exactly the point that you do not have time off and there is no personal in the public today. indeed so. we'll see what he says comes out of hospital. stay with us. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news in the uk. snow has started falling in parts of the uk, as the country braces for a week—long cold spell. bbc weather says south—east england will see a mix of snow, sleet and rain during the rest of monday. the met office has warned of ice and snow across southern england and wales later, which could cause travel disruption. research commissioned by bbc panorama suggests police forces in england and wales need an extra 18—thousand officers just to keep up with population growth. the home office says officer numbers are at a record high. but the figures, from

an independent criminal justice think tank, indicate recruitment has fallen behind the nine—percent increase in population recorded since 2010. thousands of old green metal street cabinets — once used to store broadband and phone cabling — are set to be converted into charging points for electric vehicles. bt group is setting up a pilot project which it's hoped will boost the number of charging stations across the country. you're live with bbc news. since the late 90s the post office here in the uk has relentlessly pursued. managers of sub—post offices across the country, who it accused of theft, fraud and false accounting based on information from the horizon it system, they had installed in these branches in the late 1990s. it was supplied by fujitsu. from 2010 onwards, they knew that there were faults in this centralised accounting software.

and yet hundreds were left with criminal convictions. in total, around 3,500 sub postmasters were wrongly accused, 700 prosecuted by the post office. the only way to stop it was to prove i'm not a thief, right? the only way to stop it was to prove i'm nota thief, right? it the only way to stop it was to prove i'm not a thief, right? it must be a bug... the facts of what was long known to be an enormous miscarriage ofjustice, were already known, widely reported, but over the christmas break an itv drama serialised the scandal which sparked a public outcry. and suddenly ministers past and present are in the cross hairs. this morning the prime minister was asked why it had taken a television drama to get his government to focus on the scandal. over the last few years my predecessors started the process of doing that, had the inquiry — actually, as chancellor, i approve the compensation schemes for the first time, which are now in the process of being paid out, over a hundred...almost £150 million has been paid out to thousands

of people, so people should know that we are on it, and we want to make this right. the money has been set aside. now what we are looking at is, how can we speed all of that up? sir ed davey — now leader of the liberal democrats — has been feeling some of this heat, as he was the minister responsible for the post office in the 2010 coalition, when the concerns were first raised, and did nothing about it, despite repeated requests from the sub postmasters. they have called on him to resign. today ed davey gave his response. i fully supported the independent inquiry, and it needs to get to the bottom of it. i'm more than happy to give evidence to that inquiry so that people are held to account. when you talk to sub—postmasters, i have a sub—postmaster who was who was a victim in my own constituency, he was convicted and sent to prison for 16 months, and it makes me sick in my stomach to think that there was that innocent man in prison for that time, and my heart goes out to all those people.

we need to make sure the convictions were overturned and we need to make sure they are fairly compensated and quickly. guto has been in the house of commons. what did you make of it? on all sides they are all reinforcing each other. all sides they are all reinforcing each other-— all sides they are all reinforcing each other. can i agree with my shadow, each other. can i agree with my shadow. it _ each other. can i agree with my shadow, it has _ each other. can i agree with my shadow, it has been _ each other. can i agree with my shadow, it has been dropping . each other. can i agree with my shadow, it has been dropping a| each other. can i agree with my - shadow, it has been dropping a ball for the _ shadow, it has been dropping a ball for the entire political establishment and as you suggest it's weird — establishment and as you suggest it's weird how it takes a drama to sort of— it's weird how it takes a drama to sort of explainjust it's weird how it takes a drama to sort of explain just a human tragedy here _ sort of explain just a human tragedy here there — sort of explain just a human tragedy here. there are people that committed suicide because they had been convicted of crimes that they had not _ been convicted of crimes that they had not committed. there were people who went _ had not committed. there were people who went bankrupt because the system had swindled them of real money. it

took a _ had swindled them of real money. it took a drama to sort of highlight that, _ took a drama to sort of highlight that, an — took a drama to sort of highlight that, an attempted fiction, if you like, _ that, an attempted fiction, if you like. or— that, an attempted fiction, if you like. or a — that, an attempted fiction, if you like, or a fictionalised nation, and ithink— like, or a fictionalised nation, and i think it _ like, or a fictionalised nation, and i think it was _ like, or a fictionalised nation, and i think it was a moment in the house of commons — i think it was a moment in the house of commons tonight where clearly it is going _ of commons tonight where clearly it is going to _ of commons tonight where clearly it is going to get resolved, people are going _ is going to get resolved, people are going to _ is going to get resolved, people are going to be pursued, the people who knew that _ going to be pursued, the people who knew that things were wrong, people are going _ knew that things were wrong, people are going to get significant compensation, it's going to be made as easy— compensation, it's going to be made as easy as— compensation, it's going to be made as easy as possible. the lawyers are going _ as easy as possible. the lawyers are going to _ as easy as possible. the lawyers are going to he — as easy as possible. the lawyers are going to be told to back off, because _ going to be told to back off, because they've contested every piece _ because they've contested every piece of — because they've contested every piece of compensation so far, so it's finally— piece of compensation so far, so it's finally going to get resolved, but about— it's finally going to get resolved, but about 20 years too late. yeah, we heard from _ but about 20 years too late. yeah, we heard from to _ but about 20 years too late. yeah, we heard from to some _ but about 20 years too late. yeah, i we heard from to some postmasters this evening who put private money into this, they are furious with sir ed davey, hold �*em ultimately responsible, because he was in charge of the post office, if ed davey, he is called for the resignation of a lot of ministers over the years, if he was looking at

himself now, would he ask himself to resign? he himself now, would he ask himself to resin? . , �* himself now, would he ask himself to resin? ., , �* �* , himself now, would he ask himself to resin? �* �*, ., resign? he wasn't there, it's a disaster for — resign? he wasn't there, it's a disaster for him _ resign? he wasn't there, it's a disaster for him personally, i resign? he wasn't there, it's a - disaster for him personally, because we can— disaster for him personally, because we can all— disaster for him personally, because we can all get the wrong end of the stick, _ we can all get the wrong end of the stick, underestimate things, but he refused _ stick, underestimate things, but he refused to— stick, underestimate things, but he refused to see these people. the lib dems— refused to see these people. the lib dems in_ refused to see these people. the lib dems in particular are meant to be nice, _ dems in particular are meant to be nice. cuddly— dems in particular are meant to be nice, cuddly politicians, so to say, nothing _ nice, cuddly politicians, so to say, nothing to— nice, cuddly politicians, so to say, nothing to see here, not listening to you. _ nothing to see here, not listening to you, listening to the corporate giant _ to you, listening to the corporate giant says — to you, listening to the corporate giant says the computer never gets it wrong, _ giant says the computer never gets it wrong, that is a bad place for him to— it wrong, that is a bad place for him to he _ it wrong, that is a bad place for him to be. it it wrong, that is a bad place for him to toe-— it wrong, that is a bad place for himto be. ., him to be. it was boris johnson who cbd to the former _ him to be. it was boris johnson who cbd to the former head _ him to be. it was boris johnson who cbd to the former head of- him to be. it was boris johnson who cbd to the former head of the - him to be. it was boris johnson who cbd to the former head of the post | cbd to the former head of the post office. should he have done that? i don't know the situation at the time — don't know the situation at the time. untilthe don't know the situation at the time. until the facts of changed, you don't— time. until the facts of changed, you don't change your mind. other questions — you don't change your mind. other questions that come up in the commons _ questions that come up in the commons tonight, whether that should be given— commons tonight, whether that should be given back or taken back. apologies to amanda, i'm keeping out of this at the moment, it's very

uk—based, but it is said in the last few minutes thatj p r williams has died at the age of 74, one of the legendary figures in rugby and welsh rugby. i know you knew him. has, rugby. i know you knew him. a legend. 0ne rugby. i know you knew him. a legend. one of the best rugby players — legend. one of the best rugby players in a hotly contested field, and he _ players in a hotly contested field, and he was shrewd, he was fast, he was superb. — and he was shrewd, he was fast, he was superb, he fought back, and he was superb, he fought back, and he was also _ was superb, he fought back, and he was also highly intelligent, and he was also highly intelligent, and he was a _ was also highly intelligent, and he was a doctor in his dayjob, and it's that — was a doctor in his dayjob, and it's that context where, weirdly, through— it's that context where, weirdly, through a — it's that context where, weirdly, through a very, very minor rugby injury— through a very, very minor rugby injury to — through a very, very minor rugby injury to someone in my ankle, i had to go— injury to someone in my ankle, i had to go into _ injury to someone in my ankle, i had to go into cardiff royal infirmary, and can— to go into cardiff royal infirmary, and can you imagine myjoy at the a-e and can you imagine myjoy at the age of— and can you imagine myjoy at the age of 12— and can you imagine myjoy at the age of 12 at— and can you imagine myjoy at the age of 12 at being put in a plaster of paris. — age of 12 at being put in a plaster of paris. as— age of 12 at being put in a plaster of paris, as it is called them, by the great — of paris, as it is called them, by the great rugby legend himself, j p r williams, and i'm really sad is

always— r williams, and i'm really sad is always to — r williams, and i'm really sad is always to see someone like that finally— always to see someone like that finally leave us.— always to see someone like that finally leave us. such a big figure in world rugby- — finally leave us. such a big figure in world rugby. he _ finally leave us. such a big figure in world rugby. he has— finally leave us. such a big figure in world rugby. he has died - finally leave us. such a big figure| in world rugby. he has died today finally leave us. such a big figure i in world rugby. he has died today at the age of 74. plenty more reaction to come and that in the bbc. we need to come and that in the bbc. we need to get plenty more, amanda, we will do that have of this short break. 0n the other side will talk about the energy bill which is being voted on in the house of commons today, lots of governments around the world including the american, looking at whether they can replace fossil with renewables and also a week to iowa, the caucus is coming up, we'll get into that as well. hello there. well, it was a cold day on monday, with a few snow flurries affecting parts of east anglia and southern england. but the big story from last week still hasn't completely resolved itself, in that we still have over 100 flood warnings currently in force. i think the situation will get better over the next few days, which won't have that much

in the way of precipitation coming our way. now, the snow flurries that we did see across east anglia, in south—east england, for the most part weren't very exciting. there were just one or two areas that managed to cover maybe a centimetre or two injust one or two spots. but as we go through this evening and overnight, particularly where we've seen showers by day, we're looking at some icy stretches, but also with a bit of water still coming off those saturated fields, we could have some icy stretches just about anywhere, to be honest, as we head into tuesday morning. so a slippery start to the day both under wheel and underfoot. tuesday will be another cold day, with those easterly winds continuing to make it feel particularly bitter. now weather—wise, much better prospects of seeing sunshine across east anglia, the midlands, south—east england. further northward, still a lot of cloud around, and the cloud will continue to feed in a few showers for eastern scotland and into north—east england. for the most part, these showers will be falling as rain. 0n the whole, the temperatures not really changing very much between what we had today and what we'll have tomorrow — highs of around four or five degrees for most.

by wednesday, the same area of high pressure is with us. it's changing orientation, and we're starting to get these north—easterly winds moving in. they'll bring some patches of drizzle around some of our north sea coasts, with the cloud extending further southwards. best of any sunshine probably for southern wales and southern counties of england. now, beyond that, through thursday, those northerly winds continue to push their cloud sheets ever further southward, so turning cloudy across southern areas. the best of the breaks in the cloud probably to the north and west, the cloud thick enough again around some of our north sea coasts to bring a few showers, mostly light and drizzly kind of features. temperatures coming up a little bit around those eastern areas of england, but still feeling cold. and that cold theme continues through friday and into the weekend as well, with some sharp overnight frosts and temperatures below average by day. now, beyond that into next week, looks like the weather gets a bit more interesting. we get northerly winds diving in, lots of snow showers across the north. we could also have some more

organised areas of precipitation running into that cold air, bringing a threat of some areas of more widespread snow.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. we're nowjust a week out from iowa's presidential caucuses. donald trump remains the republican frontrunner, but can nikki haley or ron desantis build momentum?