red sea shot down a barrage of the red sea shot down a barrage of drones and missiles launched by the iran backed group. the government held a cobra emergency meeting this morning, along with a meeting of the national security council. our panel this evening who'll guide me through events in washington, mona charen, who is a policy writer at the bull work and also tonight wills robinson, who is assisted politics editor at the daily mail in new york. we'll be back with them in a moment, but let's bring in our political editor, chris mason, who has been gathering reaction tonight after that cabinet meeting wrapped up. what you did getting from your sources tonight about the plans of the imminent?— the imminent? yes, hello, that cabinet call _ the imminent? yes, hello, that cabinet call happened _ the imminent? yes, hello, that cabinet call happened in - the imminent? yes, hello, that cabinet call happened in the - the imminent? yes, hello, that| cabinet call happened in the last hour or so and cabinet call happened in the last hour orso and it cabinet call happened in the last hour or so and it was a conference call in which it would appear the prime minister was briefing the cabinet on the prospect of uk military action that will be imminent, in and around the red sea.

shortly after that cabinet call, we saw in person, arriving on foot, john healey, the shadow defence secretary labour and also sir lindsay hoyle, the leader of the commons, arriving in 70 whitehall, which is the cabinet office that adjoins downing street and that the connecting corridors all lead through as if it is effectively one building. we also saw the foreign secretary, lord cameron, going into downing street. the expectation in situations like this, when time allows comets that senior opposition figures such as keir starmer, who we think has probablyjoined a call to be briefed as well, as well as the defence secretary and the house of commons speaker, would be briefed, where time to allow and it would appear in this instance that there is time because, as we understand it, no military strikes have happened as yet. the uk government always has the capacity to respond without consulting either the

opposition or wider parliament, but convention would normally point in the direction of that happening when it could. the fact that that has happened paints a pretty clear picture, i think, happened paints a pretty clear picture, ithink, that happened paints a pretty clear picture, i think, that we can expect uk involvement in military strikes against the houthis imminently, if the uk, alongside its allies, determines that those strikes should happen, and they clearly are expecting them to happen pretty soon. , ~ expecting them to happen pretty soon. , . ._ , expecting them to happen pretty soon. , . , soon. yes, in recent days, some fairly robust _ soon. yes, in recent days, some fairly robust messages _ soon. yes, in recent days, some fairly robust messages have - soon. yes, in recent days, some| fairly robust messages have been transferred to the houthis that this needs to stop. the dilemma for the uk and us governments has been that, despite sending a naval group to the red sea to try to reassure commercial shipping, the attacks have continued and also the insurance prices have gone up, so from a commercial shipping perspective, just safer and more straightforward to send ships around the cape of good hope and pass on the cape of good hope and pass on the costs, the increased cost to the

suppliers? the costs, the increased cost to the su liers? , ~ , suppliers? yes, i think there is --erhas suppliers? yes, i think there is perhaps a _ suppliers? yes, i think there is perhaps a more _ suppliers? yes, i think there is perhaps a more crude - suppliers? yes, i think there is l perhaps a more crude calculation suppliers? yes, i think there is - perhaps a more crude calculation in the sort of military and geopolitical sense, which is this. given the very clear language we have heard from grant shapps, the defence secretary, saying 2a hours ago, watch this space, when he was asked about the likelihood of imminent strikes, given that, and all of the rhetoric and warnings that we have heard from the west in the last few weeks haven't amounted to any significant sort of de—escalation of the situation, it was perhaps inevitable that we were heading towards this moment, that the rhetoric would have to be matched with what the rhetoric was implying would be coming. and it would appear tonight that that is precisely what we are seeing. if we take a little bit of a step back, as you were hinting at there, there is real concern and there has been concern for some time about the impact on commercial shipping through the red sea, such as the

concern about how dangerous that passage had become, the additional costs that are associated with boats travelling all the way around the base of africa to complete the same journey, as well as obvious concerns at every level, whether it be military, diplomatic, economic of any escalation in conflict in the middle east, with the knock—on is that that could have in the region, but much more widely and economically as well. so that is where we find ourselves this evening, with the british cabinet having been briefed about what we anticipate could be imminent military action, senior opposition and parliamentary figures briefed as well. we now wait to see what the uk and alliance with others decides to do. , ., h, and alliance with others decides to do. , ., . ., ., do. chris, thanks so much for that. i will bring — do. chris, thanks so much for that. i will bring in _ do. chris, thanks so much for that. i will bring in our _ do. chris, thanks so much for that. i will bring in our panel— do. chris, thanks so much for that. i will bring in our panel very - i will bring in our panel very shortly, but let'sjust i will bring in our panel very shortly, but let's just hear from frank gardner, a security correspondent, on what might have been playing into the west�*s decision making.

if they don't do anything — because all of these warnings were meant to scare the houthis into stopping their attacks. that hasn't worked. so if they don't do anything, the west looks weak. what is the point of having a great big us—led armada in the red sea with guided missiles destroyers and an aircraft carrier if it doesn't do anything? but if they do hit the houthi positions, which, frankly, i think is imminent, then there's the risk that this will be portrayed throughout the middle east as the us and britain and their alliesjoining in the gaza war on israel's side. and it will be portrayed as such, people will die, almost certainly, and they will be called martyrs, it will play very well domestically at home, the risk for governments in the region is this could generate popular unrest and it could ignite and metastasise the entire middle east tension into something much bigger than it was. that is why they have been hesitating up until now. frank gardner speaking to me just a little earlier. it is certainly true

that things seem to be moving a little faster on this side, in terms of what has been given to the media. we have not heard much from the pentagon. the slight difficulty at the moment is that the secretary of defence, lloyd austin, is in hospital being treated for prostate cancer. that perhaps low in communication and the communication across the pond at the moment? weill. across the pond at the moment? well, it is hard to know, _ across the pond at the moment? well, it is hard to know, but _ across the pond at the moment? well, it is hard to know, but clearly - across the pond at the moment? -ii it is hard to know, but clearly the secretary of defence made a terrible blunder by failing to tell the president and others about his illness and about being incapacitated, even for a short time, but i do think he is out now and presumably there is enough shame about this that that has been corrected and the lines of communication are open. but you know, when we look at this houthi situation, it does remind us that the i979 situation, it does remind us that the 1979 iranian revolution was one of the most destabilising things to

happen in our world. it has destabilised iraq, it has destabilised iraq, it has destabilised lebanon, it has destabilised lebanon, it has destabilised syria and the houthis of course are part of that. they are all cats' paws of the iranian regime, which doesn't want to dirty it sounds, doesn't want to personally engage in this kind of aggression, but it has these agents out there that it is arming and supplying better causing real havoc and the houthis, until now they were just part of a proxy war between iran and saudi arabia, but now they are proving a menace to the entire global trading system.— are proving a menace to the entire global trading system. when we talk about iran, global trading system. when we talk about iran. it— global trading system. when we talk about iran, it may _ global trading system. when we talk about iran, it may not _ global trading system. when we talk about iran, it may not be _ global trading system. when we talk about iran, it may not be linked - global trading system. when we talk about iran, it may not be linked to l about iran, it may not be linked to the decision that is being taken right now in downing street and in the white house, but we have had this ship that has been taken by the

iranians today floating off the coast of oman, 200 kilometres away from the red sea, but the link with what is happening over there is iran. ., , what is happening over there is iran. . , ., iran. indeed, and fits into the narrative _ iran. indeed, and fits into the narrative at _ iran. indeed, and fits into the narrative at the _ iran. indeed, and fits into the narrative at the moment - iran. indeed, and fits into the narrative at the moment of. iran. indeed, and fits into the - narrative at the moment of trying to prevent— narrative at the moment of trying to prevent what is happening in gaza from _ prevent what is happening in gaza from really spreading around onto an enormous _ from really spreading around onto an enormous scale. antony blinken was in the _ enormous scale. antony blinken was in the middle east this week meeting with the _ in the middle east this week meeting with the saudi crown prince mohammed bin salman— with the saudi crown prince mohammed bin salman and one of the issues he did bring _ bin salman and one of the issues he did bring up— bin salman and one of the issues he did bring up was the increasing tensions— did bring up was the increasing tensions in the red sea and these incursions — tensions in the red sea and these incursions with the ships and i think— incursions with the ships and i think from _ incursions with the ships and i think from the us side there is going — think from the us side there is going to — think from the us side there is going to be a more significant ramping — going to be a more significant ramping up of diplomacy in the next few weeks— ramping up of diplomacy in the next few weeks to make sure that this situation — few weeks to make sure that this situation like with the ship in oman and like _ situation like with the ship in oman and like in — situation like with the ship in oman and like in the red sea doesn't escalate — and like in the red sea doesn't escalate into a wider conflict which has been _ escalate into a wider conflict which has been the concern from the last few weeks. — has been the concern from the last few weeks, especially the pentagon and the _ few weeks, especially the pentagon and the white house. | few weeks, especially the pentagon and the white house.— few weeks, especially the pentagon

and the white house. i know from my time in cairo. — and the white house. i know from my time in cairo, the _ and the white house. i know from my time in cairo, the suez _ and the white house. i know from my time in cairo, the suez canal - and the white house. i know from my time in cairo, the suez canal is - and the white house. i know from my time in cairo, the suez canal is a - time in cairo, the suez canal is a very big earnerfor time in cairo, the suez canal is a very big earner for egypt, time in cairo, the suez canal is a very big earnerfor egypt, so in terms of what this will be doing to commercial shipping, there will be some sympathy from president ella cc, who the present spoke to today. generally speaking, they might... but specifically speaking in relation to the houthis, how would the arab countries view this? presumably there will be somewhat supportive, wouldn't they? in terms ofthe supportive, wouldn't they? in terms of the ideology _ supportive, wouldn't they? in terms of the ideology and _ supportive, wouldn't they? in terms of the ideology and the _ supportive, wouldn't they? in terms of the ideology and the arab - supportive, wouldn't they? in terms of the ideology and the arab some l supportive, wouldn't they? in terms | of the ideology and the arab some of the arab _ of the ideology and the arab some of the arab world was like leaves on the arab world was like leaves on the west— the arab world was like leaves on the west at the moment, especially in relation _ the west at the moment, especially in relation to the situation in gaza, — in relation to the situation in gaza, they may have some aligning views, _ gaza, they may have some aligning views, but— gaza, they may have some aligning views, but with what the houthis are doing. _ views, but with what the houthis are doing. it _ views, but with what the houthis are doing, it could be compared to piracy, — doing, it could be compared to piracy, that might be the simplest way of— piracy, that might be the simplest way of putting it because they are attacking — way of putting it because they are attacking the ships. they are small incursions, — attacking the ships. they are small incursions, they are taking the ships. — incursions, they are taking the ships. but— incursions, they are taking the ships, but they are little bits of operations, there have been missile strikes _ operations, there have been missile strikes against us drones, but these are single _ strikes against us drones, but these are single incidents at the moment,

which _ are single incidents at the moment, which are _ are single incidents at the moment, which are causing, as i said, pensions, _ which are causing, as i said, pensions, problems, but they are isolated _ pensions, problems, but they are isolated incidents and this is what the effort — isolated incidents and this is what the effort from downing street, from the effort from downing street, from the pentagon and the white house is to try— the pentagon and the white house is to try and _ the pentagon and the white house is to try and present this escalating to try and present this escalating to a wider— to try and present this escalating to a wider situation which might have _ to a wider situation which might have two. — to a wider situation which might have two, which might lead to more forces _ have two, which might lead to more forces in _ have two, which might lead to more forces in the — have two, which might lead to more forces in the red sea and more forces — forces in the red sea and more forces in — forces in the red sea and more forces in the red sea and more forces in the middle east, which at the moment the us in particular won't _ the moment the us in particular won't want to do.— the moment the us in particular won't want to do. how does this play oliticall ? won't want to do. how does this play politically? we _ won't want to do. how does this play politically? we are _ won't want to do. how does this play politically? we are obviously - politically? we are obviously heading into election year, it has been divisive in gaza with the parties there, taking some criticism for his policies on gaza, but in terms of getting engaged in another part of this, when sector abe lincoln has been in the middle east this week trying to contain it, how is this going to play because? secretary —— secretary anthony lincoln has been in middle east. if there is a short military encounter led by the us and great britain in which the houthis are beaten back and taught a lesson, this is very

short and involves no american casualties, being quite cynical, but obviously that is important, then it could be of little benefit to biden. 0n the other hand, it it does involve a more extended military commitment, if it is longer lasting, if it is more ambiguous in outcome, it could be seen as poor leadership on biden's part, it could be seen as he has been pulled into a war and in an election year, that could be devastating. an election year, that could be devastating-— an election year, that could be devastatina. ,, ., ,., ., devastating. ok. stay there, both of ou, devastating. ok. stay there, both of you. because _ want to bring in our state department correspondent, tom bateman, who isjoining me for washington. vast experience of course of the region, he was previously in israel's arab jerusalem correspondent. good to have you with us. bring us up to speed on what the pentagon are saying because i was making the point earlier to our panel we have not had as much information from your side as we have had from the side. , . �* ,

your side as we have had from the side. , , side. yes, that's absolutely right, christian, but _ side. yes, that's absolutely right, christian, but my _ side. yes, that's absolutely right, christian, but my sense _ side. yes, that's absolutely right, christian, but my sense here - side. yes, that's absolutely right, christian, but my sense here is i side. yes, that's absolutely right, l christian, but my sense here is that the american position really echoes what we heard from the uk defence sector yesterday, which is frankly, watch this space. now, when the pentagon spokesperson was asked about this repeatedly over the last hour, during a briefing, he said he wasn't going to go beyond the messages that we heard, for example, secretary of state antony blinken say repeatedly on that trip to the middle east, that there will be consequences if those attacks continued. and they have continued because there was another strike, it seems, this morning and a major general at the pentagon elaborated a bit on that for the last hour to say there was another missile strike into the red sea. he said it was from the houthis in yemen and that the crew of a vessel who saw it land on the water, hit the water, but nobody was injured. what all this is

about really is an escalation that has kind of wrapped up in the last week because we had on tuesday the us and uk saying they had shot down more than 20 anti—ship ballistic cruise missiles and attack drones which made up the bulk of that attack. the houthis had said that was in response to a strike by the us against some of their far ships on the 31st december, in which those houthi far ships, so the western forces had said, had tried to board a single flight container vessel and ten houthi militants had been killed when those boats were sunk, according to the houthi account of that. so we have seen things ramp up, i think you're right, these have largely lead been isolated incidents, but that was the end of last year, according to the houthis, has seen this spike in the last 48 hours we are getting the sense, especially after what grant shapps the uk defence secretary said there

would be a response from western forces and that does feel imminent, but as i say, nothing officially from the pentagon or indeed for the national security adviser, john kirby, at the white house tonight. just to remind our audience, tom, the houthis are not a state actor and they have been involved in the civil war in yemen, which is a little quieter at the moment, but saying to frank gardner in the last hour, they are no mugs because they have put up fairly stiff resistance to saudi arabia in recent years. one of the people i was speaking to last week said the americans have been loath to craft them too quickly because these peace negotiations are ongoing and nobody wants to open up that saw in yemen. if they go in there all guns blazing, could further destabilise yemen in a way that would upset the region? weill. further destabilise yemen in a way that would upset the region? well, i think it could — that would upset the region? well, i think it could and _ that would upset the region? well, i think it could and remember, - that would upset the region? well, i think it could and remember, all- think it could and remember, all that has been invested, as you say, that has been invested, as you say, that peace process for yemen, engaging saudi arabia in that. the

houthis, you say they are a non—state actor, absolutely, but they are very well armed and in yemen there has been a missile war between these factions and the houthis have become very adept, actually, at repelling or at least hiding their missile activity, their launch sites because they are very used to saudi attempts to try to destroy them. so that is something that, if there is going to be a uk— us or, as they are calling this now, coalition of 20 nations in what they are calling 0peration prosperity guardian in the red sea, if there is going to be a strike, they know they are up against an adversary here thatis are up against an adversary here that is quite used to a major force trying to destroy some of its weaponry. the point is, fundamentally the point is to the americans, we have had antony blinken spent a week going round the middle east saying, we don't want an escalation, we are doing everything to stop an escalation, to stop the sides of all this in the middle

east, getting further down this ladder of warfare. so of course, the americans are not going to want to come in themselves and make things even worse across the region. but as one of your last guests were saying, they can't afford not to respond, given the nature of what has been going on. again, patrick ryder at the pentagon was describing the forces there as a highway patrol. he said, but if maritime shipping is being continuously attacked by the houthis, he said they will shoot first and ask questions later when it comes to repelling those particular attacks, so in their view, they have to be seen to respond to this, but they are going to need and want to calibrate it, if this is going to be an attack on some kind of land infrastructure, whether that be coastal radar or missile storage or whatever, they're going to want to try and calibrate it so it creates deterrence, but without making the fighting even worse, but already today we've had

the houthi spokesman saying on their television that they will respond with even greater force if they are attacked by americans. interesting. tom bateman, _ attacked by americans. interesting. tom bateman, thank _ attacked by americans. interesting. tom bateman, thank you _ attacked by americans. interesting. tom bateman, thank you very - attacked by americans. interesting. | tom bateman, thank you very much. attacked by americans. interesting. - tom bateman, thank you very much. we will continue to keep that story and will continue to keep that story and will bring any development is to you. stay with us, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. petrol prices have fallen to the lowest level since october 2021, new figures show. the aa said the average price, for a litre of the fuel fell below £1.40 for the first time since october 2021. the uk government is planning the biggest expansion of its nuclear power industry in 70 years. a new nuclear plant would quadruple supplies by 2050, which the government claims would lower bills and improve energy security. nuclear power currently provides around 15% of the uk's electricity, but many of the country's aging reactors are due to be decommissioned over the next decade. researchers at oxford university say the death rate among pregnant women and new mothers rose during the pandemic

to its highest level in nearly two decades. blood clots in the veins was the most common cause of death, with heart disease and poor mental health also common. the department of health says, "last year, nhs england published "a three—year plan to make maternity and neonatal care safer". you're live with bbc news. in the course of the next half hour, we are going to focus on a court case in california, hunter biden in court, who hasjust pleaded not guilty to all nine counts. he is facing nine counts on tax and drug charges. you may be tuning on that. our correspondent is in california, 0ur correspondent is in california, plenty to talk about in relation to hunter biden. but let's focus first on iowa. we are in the countdown to the first republican primary in iowa. just four days of campaigning left. last night the two candidates

running for second place, at least according to the current polling, were on stage together. florida governor ron desantis and former un ambassador nikki haley spent most of their time going after each other. but did it do anything to change the dynamics of this race? eurocrats. .. eurocrats. . . that eurocrats. .. that is not true. that is wrong. — eurocrats. .. that is not true. that is wrong. you _ eurocrats. .. that is not true. that is wrong, you have _ eurocrats. .. that is not true. that is wrong, you have supported - eurocrats. .. that is not true. that is wrong, you have supported all. is wrong, you have supported all that money going over there, let's put our own people first to drop like you are so desperate. you need someone to stand and fight for you? don't look for nikki haley, you won't be able to find out if you have a search warrant. but every time he lies. _ have a search warrant. but every time he lies, the _ have a search warrant. but every time he lies, the university, - have a search warrant. but every. time he lies, the university, don't turn this— time he lies, the university, don't turn this into a drinking game because — turn this into a drinking game because it will be over served by the end — because it will be over served by the end of— because it will be over served by the end of the night. gne because it will be over served by the end of the night.— because it will be over served by the end of the night. one good rule of thumb, if— the end of the night. one good rule of thumb, if she _ the end of the night. one good rule of thumb, if she says _ the end of the night. one good rule of thumb, if she says she _ the end of the night. one good rule of thumb, if she says she has - the end of the night. one good rulej of thumb, if she says she has never said something, that definitely mean she said it and then if she says, you are lying, that means not only did she say it, she was videotaped. how did you blow through $150 million _ how did you blow through $150 million in your campaign and you were— million in your campaign and you were down—

million in your campaign and you were down in the polls?- million in your campaign and you . were down in the polls?- very were down in the polls? you... very instructive — were down in the polls? you... very instructive about _ were down in the polls? you... very instructive about what _ were down in the polls? you... very instructive about what terms - were down in the polls? you... very instructive about what terms on - instructive about what terms on which nikki haley sees the world. a couple of hours of that! in many ways it mirrored how the republican primary has gone so far. donald trump s opponenents chewing up each other. while he steered well clear of it at a town hall event, on fox news. where he was asked again what kind of presidency, a trump second term would be. i'm going to be a dictator. for one day, we are going to do two things. the border, we are going to make it so tight you can't get in unless you come in legally, and the other is energy, we're going to drill, baby, drill. after that i am not going to be a dictator. cheering and applause of the press picked it up, so i said, i'm going to be a dictatorfor one day. they cut it, they go, i'm going to be a dictator, but they cut the rest of the sentence. no, no, i'm not going to be a dictator.

and also with us stephen gruber—miller, statehouse reporter for the des moines register — the daily newspaper in iowa. the dynamics and the debate a very high stakes for both ron desantis and nikki haley. they are running well behind donald trump, according to the polling, so all those personal attacks you heard between the two of them, they are both looking for that break—out moment show they are the serious candidate who deserves to be considered alongside donald trump and while they did spend most of the night going after each other, they did take a couple of shots at donald trump, including saying he should be their debate stage. they gave some policy disagreements, but they largely refrained from the kind of personal attacks they were throwing at each other. so each of them is hoping this gives them a little momentum. we are four days from the iowa caucuses, which starts off the presidential nomination process here, and they are looking for that last boost to come in a strong second and essentially close off the other one's path to the continuing

forward in the process.— other one's path to the continuing forward in the process. mona charen, ou are forward in the process. mona charen, you are the — forward in the process. mona charen, you are the never _ forward in the process. mona charen, you are the never trump _ forward in the process. mona charen, you are the never trump a _ forward in the process. mona charen, you are the never trump a republicanj you are the never trump a republican never trample on our panel, so i should ask you, did ron desantis, who is very keen to tell us he went to all 99 counties in iowa, did he do anything for you to change the dynamics last night? mr; do anything for you to change the dynamics last night? my goodness, he is insufferable. _ dynamics last night? my goodness, he is insufferable. i— dynamics last night? my goodness, he is insufferable. i don't _ dynamics last night? my goodness, he is insufferable. i don't know— dynamics last night? my goodness, he is insufferable. i don't know how - is insufferable. i don't know how anybody — is insufferable. i don't know how anybody could watch two hours at that! _ anybody could watch two hours at that! ~ ., ~ ., ., , ., that! we will take that as i no then? no, — that! we will take that as i no then? no, no, _ that! we will take that as i no then? no, no, he— that! we will take that as i no then? no, no, he didn't, - that! we will take that as i no then? no, no, he didn't, it. that! we will take that as i no then? no, no, he didn't, it is| that! we will take that as i no - then? no, no, he didn't, it is going to be a blow _ then? no, no, he didn't, it is going to be a blow out _ then? no, no, he didn't, it is going to be a blow out for _ then? no, no, he didn't, it is going to be a blow out for trump - then? no, no, he didn't, it is going to be a blow out for trump in - then? no, no, he didn't, it is going to be a blow out for trump in iowa. | to be a blow out for trump in iowa. the only— to be a blow out for trump in iowa. the only question is whether there is any— the only question is whether there is any shot— the only question is whether there is any shot for nikki haley to perform _ is any shot for nikki haley to perform better than expected in new hampshire or possibly come a close second, _ hampshire or possibly come a close second, which would be interpreted as possibly a moral victory or whether— as possibly a moral victory or whether she could even pull an upset — whether she could even pull an upset. but i don't think there is too much — upset. but i don't think there is too much doubt about what is happening in iowa. the too much doubt about what is happening in iowa.— too much doubt about what is happening in iowa. the clip we -la ed of happening in iowa. the clip we played of donald _ happening in iowa. the clip we played of donald trump - happening in iowa. the clip we played of donald trump is - happening in iowa. the clip we i played of donald trump is really interesting, wills robinson, it is that classic, i want to be a dictator, and he turns 180, says, no, i don't want to be a dictator,

the opposition is putting those words in my mouth and it is actually very difficult for media to hold them accountable and he switches and changes like that.— changes like that. especially when he is on his _ changes like that. especially when he is on his own, _ changes like that. especially when he is on his own, and _ changes like that. especially when he is on his own, and that - changes like that. especially when he is on his own, and that is - changes like that. especially when he is on his own, and that is one | changes like that. especially when | he is on his own, and that is one of the things— he is on his own, and that is one of the things that _ he is on his own, and that is one of the things that trump _ he is on his own, and that is one of the things that trump has - he is on his own, and that is one of the things that trump has done - he is on his own, and that is one ofl the things that trump has done true to his _ the things that trump has done true to his advantage _ the things that trump has done true to his advantage throughout - the things that trump has done true to his advantage throughout this - to his advantage throughout this whole _ to his advantage throughout this whole primary— to his advantage throughout this whole primary process. - to his advantage throughout this whole primary process. he - to his advantage throughout this whole primary process. he has i to his advantage throughout this - whole primary process. he has stayed away from _ whole primary process. he has stayed away from the — whole primary process. he has stayed away from the debate _ whole primary process. he has stayed away from the debate stage, - whole primary process. he has stayed away from the debate stage, so- whole primary process. he has stayed away from the debate stage, so he i away from the debate stage, so he hasn't _ away from the debate stage, so he hasn't been — away from the debate stage, so he hasn't been challenged _ away from the debate stage, so he hasn't been challenged by- away from the debate stage, so he hasn't been challenged by any - away from the debate stage, so he hasn't been challenged by any of l away from the debate stage, so he i hasn't been challenged by any of the candidates, — hasn't been challenged by any of the candidates, looking _ hasn't been challenged by any of the candidates, looking back— hasn't been challenged by any of the candidates, looking back to - hasn't been challenged by any of the candidates, looking back to last - candidates, looking back to last night _ candidates, looking back to last night when _ candidates, looking back to last night when nikki— candidates, looking back to last night when nikki haley- candidates, looking back to last night when nikki haley said - candidates, looking back to last night when nikki haley said to i candidates, looking back to last i night when nikki haley said to ron desantis. — night when nikki haley said to ron desantis. you _ night when nikki haley said to ron desantis, you are _ night when nikki haley said to ron desantis, you are desperate, - night when nikki haley said to ron desantis, you are desperate, i- night when nikki haley said to ron| desantis, you are desperate, i feel that pretty— desantis, you are desperate, i feel that pretty much _ desantis, you are desperate, i feel that pretty much summed - desantis, you are desperate, i feel that pretty much summed up - desantis, you are desperate, i feel that pretty much summed up the l desantis, you are desperate, i feel. that pretty much summed up the two hours _ that pretty much summed up the two hours of— that pretty much summed up the two hours of tv, — that pretty much summed up the two hours of tv, it — that pretty much summed up the two hours of tv, it was _ that pretty much summed up the two hours of tv, it was two _ that pretty much summed up the two hours of tv, it was two candidates i hours of tv, it was two candidates who in_ hours of tv, it was two candidates who in what — hours of tv, it was two candidates who in what should _ hours of tv, it was two candidates who in what should have _ hours of tv, it was two candidates who in what should have been - hours of tv, it was two candidates who in what should have been a i hours of tv, it was two candidates . who in what should have been a very hi-h who in what should have been a very high stakes— who in what should have been a very high stakes debate, _ who in what should have been a very high stakes debate, taking _ who in what should have been a very high stakes debate, taking strips - high stakes debate, taking strips out of— high stakes debate, taking strips out of each — high stakes debate, taking strips out of each other— high stakes debate, taking strips out of each other instead - high stakes debate, taking strips out of each other instead of - high stakes debate, taking stripsl out of each other instead of really going _ out of each other instead of really going after— out of each other instead of really going aftertrump, _ out of each other instead of really going after trump, while - out of each other instead of really going after trump, while trump. out of each other instead of really . going after trump, while trump was on his— going after trump, while trump was on his own _ going after trump, while trump was on his own on — going after trump, while trump was on his own on fox— going after trump, while trump was on his own on fox news, _ going after trump, while trump was on his own on fox news, which- going after trump, while trump was on his own on fox news, which was| going after trump, while trump wasl on his own on fox news, which was a friendly— on his own on fox news, which was a friendly network, _ on his own on fox news, which was a friendly network, they— on his own on fox news, which was a friendly network, they did _ on his own on fox news, which was a friendly network, they did challenge. friendly network, they did challenge them on _ friendly network, they did challenge them on some — friendly network, they did challenge them on some occasions, _ friendly network, they did challenge them on some occasions, they- friendly network, they did challenge. them on some occasions, they asked and tougher— them on some occasions, they asked and tougher questions, _ them on some occasions, they asked and tougher questions, but- them on some occasions, they asked and tougher questions, but he - them on some occasions, they asked and tougher questions, but he was. them on some occasions, they askedl and tougher questions, but he was on his own _ and tougher questions, but he was on his own and — and tougher questions, but he was on his own and the _ and tougher questions, but he was on his own. and the comments - and tougher questions, but he was on his own. and the comments like - and tougher questions, but he was on. his own. and the comments like trump saying _ his own. and the comments like trump saying hes— his own. and the comments like trump saying he's going — his own. and the comments like trump saying he's going to— his own. and the comments like trump saying he's going to be _ his own. and the comments like trump saying he's going to be a _ his own. and the comments like trump saying he's going to be a dictator- saying he's going to be a dictator on either— saying he's going to be a dictator on either on _ saying he's going to be a dictator on either on the _ saying he's going to be a dictator on either on the first _ saying he's going to be a dictator on either on the first day, - saying he's going to be a dictator on either on the first day, but. saying he's going to be a dictator. on either on the first day, but then isn't, _ on either on the first day, but then isn't, his— on either on the first day, but then isn't, his base _ on either on the first day, but then isn't, his base of— on either on the first day, but then isn't, his base of supporters- on either on the first day, but then isn't, his base of supporters whichl isn't, his base of supporters which has carried —

isn't, his base of supporters which has carried him _ isn't, his base of supporters which has carried him through _ isn't, his base of supporters which has carried him through this - isn't, his base of supporters which . has carried him through this primary to give _ has carried him through this primary to give him — has carried him through this primary to give him such _ has carried him through this primary to give him such an— has carried him through this primary to give him such an enormous- has carried him through this primary to give him such an enormous lead i has carried him through this primary. to give him such an enormous lead in the polls— to give him such an enormous lead in the polls are — to give him such an enormous lead in the polls are not _ to give him such an enormous lead in the polls are not going _ to give him such an enormous lead in the polls are not going to _ to give him such an enormous lead in the polls are not going to be - to give him such an enormous lead in the polls are not going to be that - the polls are not going to be that way that — the polls are not going to be that way that by— the polls are not going to be that way that by that _ the polls are not going to be that way that by that. they _ the polls are not going to be that way that by that. they are - the polls are not going to be that way that by that. they are still. way that by that. they are still going — way that by that. they are still going to — way that by that. they are still going to back— way that by that. they are still going to back him _ way that by that. they are still going to back him and - way that by that. they are still going to back him and supportj way that by that. they are still- going to back him and support him and as— going to back him and support him and as mona — going to back him and support him and as mona charen— going to back him and support him and as mona charen said, - going to back him and support him and as mona charen said, it's- going to back him and support him and as mona charen said, it's now| going to back him and support him. and as mona charen said, it's now a question— and as mona charen said, it's now a question of— and as mona charen said, it's now a question of whether— and as mona charen said, it's now a question of whether new— and as mona charen said, it's now a i question of whether new hampshire, which _ question of whether new hampshire, which comes— question of whether new hampshire, which comes a — question of whether new hampshire, which comes a week _ question of whether new hampshire, which comes a week after _ question of whether new hampshire, which comes a week after iowa, - question of whether new hampshire, which comes a week after iowa, is i which comes a week after iowa, is going _ which comes a week after iowa, is going tom — which comes a week after iowa, is going tom i— which comes a week after iowa, is going to- - -— going to... i want to come to that because going to. .. i want to come to that because of— going to... i want to come to that because of course _ going to... i want to come to that because of course christie's - because of course christie's campaign is over, it wasn't really playing in iowa, but he failed to make any new headway in new hampshire, where nikki haley has all the momentum. a former governor, he bowed out with a rather scathing attack on trump. the former newjersey governor bowed out with a scathing attack on donald trump. and he has really been the only one in this race that has been prepared to take him on. christie is polling at 12% in new hampshire. so this could be significant. when you consider that in the latest cnn poll haley wasjust 7 points behind trump. she has made significant progress since november. and the thinking is, that the bulk of christies support would go to her. the question is, will chris christie endorse her. if he is going to do that,

you wouldn't have guessed it from this hot mic moment that was caught last night. he's spent 68 million so far, just on tv. spent 68 million so far, 59 million by desantis and we spent 12. who is punching above their weight and who is getting a return on their investment? you know? and she is going to get smoked. you and i both know it, she is not up to this. she is still 20 points behind trump in new hampshire, right? oh, yeah, oh, yeah. and he's still going to carry iowa, right? oh, yes, italked to, desantis called me petrified that i would... he's probably getting half of iowa. 0bviously, he wasn't playing in iowa, so it is not really going to affect the vote in iowa, but the fact he has bowed out, do people in iowa consider nikki haley more of a potential second case runner now? yes, so chris christie, we had him polling at about 5% in iowa. he wasn't run at the top tier candidates people were considering, but part of nikki haley's arguments

to iowa caucus goers is she has a path forward to challenge trump beyond iowa, so she wants them to support her so she can do well in iowa and gone to new hampshire and do even better, and i think chris christie getting out, there will be some expectation that some of his support goes to her and so, she is going to make the case that she is kind of consolidating the field and she has a chance to perform better than ron desantis in new hampshire, and so, if that is an argument that iowa and people go for and that if they think that yes, this is a person who can go the distance, it might pay off for her, but we'll have to see. i might pay off for her, but we'll have to see-— might pay off for her, but we'll have to see. i 'ust have a minute left before — have to see. i 'ust have a minute left before we— have to see. ijust have a minute left before we have _ have to see. ijust have a minute left before we have to _ have to see. ijust have a minute left before we have to go - have to see. ijust have a minute left before we have to go to - have to see. ijust have a minute left before we have to go to a . left before we have to go to a break, but do think chris christie, don't know whether you believe it was a hot mic moment, but do you think about support for chris christie goes to her?- think about support for chris christie goes to her? yes, i don't think it matters _ christie goes to her? yes, i don't think it matters whether - christie goes to her? yes, i don't think it matters whether he - christie goes to her? yes, i don't i think it matters whether he actually endorses— think it matters whether he actually endorses her or not, i think people who were _ endorses her or not, i think people who were inclined to vote for chris christie _ who were inclined to vote for chris christie are — who were inclined to vote for chris christie are looking for a trump

alternative and will be more disposed to vote for nikki haley than anybody else, so yes, i do think— than anybody else, so yes, i do think this — than anybody else, so yes, i do think this helps and i think it speaks — think this helps and i think it speaks well of chris christie that he meant — speaks well of chris christie that he meant what he said, that he did not want _ he meant what he said, that he did not want to— he meant what he said, that he did not want to do anything that was going _ not want to do anything that was going to — not want to do anything that was going to help trump this time around, — going to help trump this time around, in _ going to help trump this time around, in contrast to what he did in 2016 _ around, in contrast to what he did in 2016. , , ., , ., in 2016. yes. the question is, of course, in 2016. yes. the question is, of course. with _ in 2016. yes. the question is, of course, with him _ in 2016. yes. the question is, of course, with him hitting - in 2016. yes. the question is, of course, with him hitting donald. course, with him hitting donald trump, did it help nikki haley with him being in the race? i don't know. thank you very much indeed for coming on the programme, stephen gruber—miller. we are going to go for a short break and we'll be back straight about that and will talk about hunter biden in that court case in california. hello. it has been a cold day again up and down the uk. mostly dry, though, thanks to the high pressure and that area of high pressure will be with us again for friday to bring another cold and dry day with variable amounts of cloud, a little bit of sunshine, but there will be quite a bit of cloud around, i think, through friday across england and wales. best of the clearer spells across scotland and northern ireland

with the best of the sunshine. but through tonight, under those clear skies, light winds, scotland, northern ireland could see some fog developing and it really will turn quite cold. a sharp frost developing in places, particularly central scotland, down to —8 celsius. but where we have more cloud for england, wales, then it should remain frost—free. but it does mean friday will be a rather grey, gloomy morning for england and wales. cold, frosty, stiff, crisp start for scotland, northern ireland, best of the sunshine here. stubborn mist and fog could linger all day in places and we could see a few breaks in the cloud further south till off some sunny spells here and there. temperatures again struggling to get much over 2—3 celsius across scotland, 7—8 celsius for england and wales. as we move through friday night, we'll see this weather front bring some patchy rain, maybe some hill snow to northern scotland for a while. elsewhere, it's patchy cloud and clear spells. and where we have clear skies and it'll be frosty where we hold on to the cloud, then frost free. this weather front sinking south was weakening into a band of cloud. as we head on into saturday, another one will push into northern scotland to bring further showers here. and then by sunday, much colder air pushes in across northern scotland

to bring frequent snow showers. here, it'll turn cold and windy. saturday, then, a chilly day to come, variable cloud, the odd spot of rain with those weak weather fronts, some sunny spells here and there, and temperature—wise, generally range between 5—8 celsius. as we head into sunday, though, we'll see this weather front sink southwards and weaken. there'll be some patchy rain on it, some sunshine to the south. it turns windy, cold and snowy across northern scotland. these snow showers becoming quite frequent, even down to lower levels. and there'll be significant accumulations by the end of the day, but less cold in the south. into next week it stays cold across the northern half of the country. further snow showers, maybe even an area of more prolonged snow for a while. then we need to keep an eye on this area of low pressure which could approach the south. if it pushes northwards into the cold air, it's likely that we could see a spell of sleet and snow across the south of the country. but it's quite a lot to play for here, so stay tuned to the forecast.