highs of 15 into the weekend, highs of 15 degrees from often cloudy with a little bit of rain at times. thanks, ben. and that's bbc news at ten. newsnight is just getting underway on bbc two, with kirsty wark. on bbc one, it's time tojoin our colleagues for the news where you are. goodnight.

this programme contains scenes of repetetive flashing images. the people of northern ireland should soon have their assembly back. but will the electorate ever forgive and forget two years of stagnation and delay? the westminister government and the dup agreed a deal which will get stormont up and running. but what toll has the last two years taken on people and their view of politicians?

a moment of maximum opportunity, but also a moment of maximum dangerfor sirjeffrey donaldson. i have spent the day in his constituency. it should have been done a long time a-o. should have been done a long time ago there — should have been done a long time ago. there was no government, nobody knew whether they were coming or going _ knew whether they were coming or going 00 — knew whether they were coming or anoin. ,, knew whether they were coming or hoin. y., , knew whether they were coming or hoin. , ., going. do you believe northern ireland has— going. do you believe northern ireland has been _ going. do you believe northern ireland has been treated - going. do you believe northernl ireland has been treated equally compared to the rest of the uk? ida. we'll be speaking to father mathew mcgill who spoke at lyra mckee's funeral and the northern irish lawyer and political commentator sarah creighton. also tonight, now under scrutiny at the covid inquiry, nicola sturgeon denies her actions had political intent. i wanted to be the best first minister i could be during that period. it is for others to judge the extent to which i succeeded. how did nicola sturgeon�*s political reputation, already under the microscope, hold up today? we'll be speaking to the snp's

former westminster leader ian blackford and aamer anwar the lawyer for the scottish covid bereaved group. and the atmosphere in the city of london square mile tonight. hello, russell, sparkle and tinkle. the shadow chancellor says a labour government would not reinstate the cap on bankers' bonuses. we'll be asking the shadow minister for industry and decarbonisation, if the party is behind the policy. good evening. the developments in northern ireland are momentous, for many reasons. after two years of stasis, there should be a functioning power—sharing government at stormont, perhaps as early as the weekend. with, for the first time, a nationalist first minister, sinn fein�*s michelle o'neill. by her side with equal legal powers, a unionist depute first minister from the dup. each will have a veto over decisionmaking by the other. it will certainly not be

to everyone's liking, but many will feel the difference. the uk government has promised £35 billion, for much needed improvement to services, like the nhs, education and infrastucture. and the new deal headline? no routine checks on goods crossing from great britain to northern ireland. nickjoins us from belfast. well, you could see the political pace quickened today. there was a statement in the house of commons by the northern ireland secretary, chris heaton—harris, and then a joint appearance involving him and sirjeffrey donaldson, the leader of the dup, where they both sold that deal. at hillsborough castle and county down, where the northern ireland secretary works, and it is right in the heart ofjeffrey donaldson�*s constituency. we do have a divide and that was on display today. veteran dup mp picked up on how northern ireland is still in the eu single market for goods, which

means there are checks on goods that go from northern ireland that had to the irish republic. he said, we will still have the eu maintains law being made in northern ireland and have a border within our country, but he talked about the gains made by his party. his criticisms were not ofjeffrey donaldson, they were of the uk government. interestingly, under no routine checks on goods going from great britain to northern ireland that stay in northern ireland, listen to one of the most respected academics are northern ireland and he said this in the belfast telegraph. not a bad achievement and one many of us may have thought impossible against the might of the eu. so the big question is, will this wash? will sirjeffrey donaldson be able to sell this? i speu donaldson be able to sell this? i spell the day in his lagan valley constituency to find out. the heart of unionism

and the political home of sirjeffrey donaldson. the place with the power to decide his fate. brilliant, brilliant, yes. great man, and true, yep. i think i'm happy with it. i mean, most people have been waiting a long time. i think it's a long time coming. i think the need forgetting. government back is definitely something that should be happening. support for now, and some relief for a leader who knows about threats from hardliners. i've got the framework document here. that's what we think of the framework document. a young turk rips up an early version of the good friday agreement. an awkward relationship with the late leader of the ulster unionist party, david trimble. how are you? donaldson later defected to ian paisley�*s dup. the future leader picked up a big lesson, the danger of taking unionism out of its comfort zone. two giants fell after making that mistake. david trimble destroyed his career

after sharing power with sinn fein before the ira had fully disarmed. the late ian paisley lost the confidence of his church and then his party after a chuckle too far with his chuckle brother partner, martin mcguinness, of sinn fein. jeffrey donaldson believes he can avoid their fate by cutting a deal which gives unionism much of what it wants. critics say no, northern ireland is still far too bound up in the eu, setting it apart from the rest of the uk. mixed perspectives in donaldson�*s lagan valley constituency, but overall support. anything that brings us closer to the uk is nothing but good. i'm just embarrassed. i'm actually embarrassed. let's hope the rest of the world doesn't know that we have these silly issues here. i'm just glad to hear that we are moving forward. all this hasn't even been settled yet, settled completely, yet. . this willjust be one .

day at a time, i think. i am very happy because hopefully then things will get sorted in the country with the wages and all the strikes that have been going on. should have been done a long time ago. you know, we've no government. nobody knew whether they're coming or going. and do you think northern ireland's been treated equally compared with the rest of the uk? no. definitely not, no. does that matter? well, third class- citizens here, aren't we? all calm now for sirjeffrey donaldson but as you travel across his constituency, you can see the potential challenges. the loyalist areas of lisburn. could they be open to those voices who say he has not done enough to secure the union? you come here to royal hillsborough, one of the most genteel areas of northern ireland, home to the so—called

flymo unionist vote. could they be open to moving across to the middle ground alliance party? for now, sirjeffrey donaldson believes he has the initiative, with a very strong appetite for stable devolved government in northern ireland but the lessons from the past tell you those threats can evolve slowly, but decisively. a prominent historian who hss advised unionist leaders in the past believes donaldson has achieved success. well, there's no question he's moved it incredibly carefully and has really delayed and extracted the last possible item from the united kingdom in this negotiation, so he's been very careful not to rush into anything. but there is no doubt there are going to be divisions within the dup and within unionism over this deal. the prize is a stabilisation. brexit, frankly, has destabilised northern ireland's unionist position. unionists were in a very comfortable position before brexit. brexit has basically been

destabilising in its impact. if he succeeds with this deal, sees the situation is up and running again, sees the dup minister come up and take her premiership of northern ireland, he will have stabilised what has been essentially chaos, marginalisation and a sense of defeat throughout his community. a sedate pace of life in affluent royal hillsborough. high hopes now for new stability. the leaders will keep a watchful eye on the lessons of history. joining me now from belfast is father martin magill who officiated lyra mckee's funeral and unionist politcal commentator sarah creighton. good evening. sarah, first of all, do you thinkjeffrey donaldson should be congratulated in getting this new deal? ida.

should be congratulated in getting this new deal?— this new deal? no, i don't. look, es, i this new deal? no, i don't. look, yes. i am — this new deal? no, i don't. look, yes. i am glad — this new deal? no, i don't. look, yes. i am glad he _ this new deal? no, i don't. look, yes, i am glad he has— this new deal? no, i don't. look, yes, i am glad he has taken - this new deal? no, i don't. look, yes, i am glad he has taken the l this new deal? no, i don't. look, i yes, i am glad he has taken the deal and has done a good thing and it means we are going to get government back. yes, many people didn't think he would get this, but i don't believe it was worth it for the damage that was done. as a result of the collapse of storm and we had in my view a punishment budget by the secretary of state. people lost their income, people lost their jobs. people plasma lives have been ruined and i don't believe it was worth it. i think this could have been achieved through the assembly and the mechanism of protocol. many people will welcome this but i will not be one of them. you people will welcome this but i will not be one of them.— people will welcome this but i will not be one of them. you heard people in the lagan — not be one of them. you heard people in the lagan valley _ not be one of them. you heard people in the lagan valley constituency - not be one of them. you heard people in the lagan valley constituency and l in the lagan valley constituency and one woman was saying she was embarrassed. it one woman was saying she was embarrassed-— one woman was saying she was embarrassed. , ., , , . embarrassed. it is embarrassing. we have had devolution _ embarrassed. it is embarrassing. we have had devolution and _ embarrassed. it is embarrassing. we have had devolution and that - embarrassed. it is embarrassing. we have had devolution and that was - embarrassed. it is embarrassing. we have had devolution and that was a l have had devolution and that was a huge thing in my lifetime, i am 36.

there have been some genuine issues raised but there are still so many issues at the heart of northern ireland that have not been devolved to the communities. {siege ireland that have not been devolved to the communities.— ireland that have not been devolved to the communities. give me a quick examle. to the communities. give me a quick example- the _ to the communities. give me a quick example. the legacy _ to the communities. give me a quick example. the legacy and _ to the communities. give me a quick example. the legacy and the - to the communities. give me a quick example. the legacy and the art - to the communities. give me a quick| example. the legacy and the art that the government _ example. the legacy and the art that the government the _ example. the legacy and the art that the government the british _ the government the british government is going to pass to deny people justice. government is going to pass to deny peoplejustice. reconciliation has not happened. it is deeply embarrassing and a failure. father minuel, embarrassing and a failure. father miguel. our— embarrassing and a failure. father miguel, our people _ embarrassing and a failure. father miguel, our people united - embarrassing and a failure. father miguel, our people united do - embarrassing and a failure. father miguel, our people united do you | miguel, our people united do you think in their frustration at politicians? i think in their frustration at politicians?— think in their frustration at politicians? i certainly have detected — politicians? i certainly have detected a _ politicians? i certainly have detected a huge _ politicians? i certainly have detected a huge level - politicians? i certainly have detected a huge level of. politicians? i certainly have - detected a huge level of frustration and certainly over the last two years — and certainly over the last two years in— and certainly over the last two years in particular, a real sense that— years in particular, a real sense that people are thinking, oh, for heaven's— that people are thinking, oh, for heaven's say, we are paying you, get back to _ heaven's say, we are paying you, get back to work. — heaven's say, we are paying you, get back to work, so a huge frustration. we had _ back to work, so a huge frustration. we had christine campbell on last night who lives with cancer, we had

her own before, and she was saying last night that it may be too late for her but she hopes it is not too late for other people. are there many people in her situation, not only in terms of access to health services, but also access to children's services, to education? certainly over the last two years, there _ certainly over the last two years, there is_ certainly over the last two years, there is no— certainly over the last two years, there is no doubt about it whatsoever that over the last two years _ whatsoever that over the last two years without having the assembly up and running, and business —— ministers _ and running, and business —— ministers making decisions, people have suffered. today we had figures out for _ have suffered. today we had figures out for 2022 of the number of drug deaths _ out for 2022 of the number of drug deaths and — out for 2022 of the number of drug deaths and a call for more facilities _ deaths and a call for more facilities and services for people struggling with addictions. sarah, some will see _ struggling with addictions. sarah, some will see this _ struggling with addictions. sarah, some will see this deal— struggling with addictions. sarah, some will see this deal is - some will see this deal is detrimental to unionism. look what happened to david trimble and ian

paisley. what could happen, do you think? i paisley. what could happen, do you think? ~' paisley. what could happen, do you think? ~ , think? i think there is the potential— think? i think there is the potential obviously - think? i think there is the potential obviously for . think? i think there is the - potential obviously for things to fall apart, potential obviously for things to fallapart, despite potential obviously for things to fall apart, despite the fact there are people in the dup who are happy about this. obviously the other night when somebody leaked the audio ofjeffrey donaldson and it went to the press, it was embarrassing. it is quite clear some are not happy with this deal. but they were told that the sea border had been removed and this deal has welcome improvements but the seaboard is still there, so they are very angry. there is a risk i think still that there could be trouble ahead for jeffrey donaldson. but we need to understand the future is not depending on unionism any more.

sorry to interrupt, i want to talk to you about that. the strength of civic society in northern ireland has a new generation adopted that? a generation that was optimistic after the good friday agreement and then had the setbacks. can you see a new civil society coming up to challenge the politicians? keir there have always been activists on the ground in northern ireland, women in particular, the wider campaign. ireland, women in particular, the wider campaign-— ireland, women in particular, the wider campaign. that's always been there. i wider campaign. that's always been there- ithink— wider campaign. that's always been there. i think what's _ wider campaign. that's always been there. i think what's happening - wider campaign. that's always been j there. i think what's happening with there. i think what's happening with the younger generation, they are less likely to be protestant, unionist or british. what will be interesting is how those people move interesting is how those people move in the future and whether the unionism can have them voting for the union. ~ ., , the union. where do you begin with the union. where do you begin with the healing? _ the union. where do you begin with the healing? just _ the union. where do you begin with

the healing? just for— the union. where do you begin with the healing? just for people's - the union. where do you begin with| the healing? just for people's anger and disenchantment? where is the optimism? martin magill, sorry? yes? where does the _ optimism? martin magill, sorry? yes? where does the healing _ optimism? martin magill, sorry? yes? where does the healing really begin, here? it’s where does the healing really begin, here? �* , ., . where does the healing really begin, here? �*, ., ., ., �* here? it's not a great line so i'm struggling _ here? it's not a great line so i'm struggling with _ here? it's not a great line so i'm struggling with your _ here? it's not a great line so i'm struggling with your question . here? it's not a great line so i'm struggling with your question a i struggling with your question a little _ struggling with your question a little bit — struggling with your question a little bit. i struggling with your question a little bit. ., , struggling with your question a little bit. . , ., ,~ struggling with your question a little bit. . , ., ., struggling with your question a little bit. . , . ., ., little bit. i was asking a final question. — little bit. i was asking a final question, where _ little bit. i was asking a final question, where does - little bit. i was asking a final question, where does the i little bit. i was asking a final - question, where does the healing begin? notjust in terms of services but people's confidence? in ireland? the healing can begin, certainly at grassroots — the healing can begin, certainly at grassroots level, so what people can do in iocai— grassroots level, so what people can do in local communities, but to see the assembly back with politicians working _ the assembly back with politicians working together, with them standing shoulder— working together, with them standing shoulder to shoulder, is standing out the _ shoulder to shoulder, is standing out the right optics message and giving _ out the right optics message and giving us — out the right optics message and giving us a sense of hope to begin the healing. giving us a sense of hope to begin the healing-— today, the penultimate day of the covid inquiry�*s evidence gathering in scotland, there was anguish, tears, and defiance from scotland's former first minister nicola sturgeon.

she cut a different figure to the one that had taken command, and was in command of the scottish government's briefings day in, day out of the pandemic, today an emotional sturgeon told lady hallet that part of her wished she had not been first minister when the pandemic struck. defiance came when she insisted she did notjump the gun on banning mass gatherings in 2020, and her only regret was not taking the decision earlier. the subtext was that had scotland been independent, she would not have been dependent on the timing of the chancellor's furlough scheme. but nicola sturgeon denied her actions were driven by political considerations, only conceding that she should not have risen to the bait when borisjohnson had described his visit to scotland in july 2020 as "a mission to save the uk". she had tweeted in reponse that "one of the key arguments for independence was highlighted by the then uk prime minister's visit". so where does all this leave the reputation of one of the the most recognised politicans in the uk, already mired

in the snp's financial scandal? here'sjoe. once upon a time, she was seen as unstoppable. now she's being held accountable, although polls suggest nicola sturgeon's public approval ratings have already taken a battering. in the last 12 months, she resigned from leading her country and her party and was arrested and questioned by police, and released without charge, and she was asked near constantly about whether she deleted whatsapps, especially after this commitment in 2021. can you guarantee to the bereaved families that you will disclose - e—mails, whatsapps, private e—mails, if. you've been using them? i think if you understand statutory public inquiries, you would know that even if i wasn't prepared to give that assurance which, for the avoidance of doubt, i am, then i wouldn't have the ability. this will be a judge—led statutory public inquiry. we now know that by that point, the deletion had already begun and today, nicola sturgeon admitted it. i was very thorough,

notjust in the pandemic, but in all my work in government, to ensure that things were appropriately recorded but in line with the advice i'd always been given, since my first day in government, probably, was not to retain conversations like that on a phone that could be lost or stolen and therefore not secure. but did you delete them? yes. nicola sturgeon did say that all relevant information had been handed to the inquiry. her use of whatsapp was "extremely limited" and decisions were not made, she said, on the app, although the inquiry did reveal a message to her chief of staff which started like this. "i'm having a bit of a crisis of decision—making in hospitality, "not helped by the fact i haven't slept". the public—health argument, she says, etc, etc, etc. today, we heard nicola sturgeon's biggest regret was not locking down earlier. she admitted flaws and deficiencies in guidance around care homes and denied her decisions were political. she also said this.

i was the first minister when the pandemic struck. there is a large part of me wishes i hadn't been. but i was and i wanted to be the best first minister i could be. so, was scotland's covid response any better than the rest of the uk? certainly if we look at the age adjusted increase in deaths from january, 2020 untiljune, 2020, the first months of the pandemic, we can see that scotland is below wales and quite a bit below england. but by the following june it seems there was little difference north and south of the scotland— england border. england, scotland and wales are pretty close together. northern ireland, with lower rates. views will of course differ on whether nicola sturgeon's reputation was bolstered or battered today about the fact some of the potential evidence no longer exists means those bereaved during the pandemic will probably never have a full picture of what was happening behind—the—scenes at the top

of the scottish government. let's hear more from our two guests. aamer anwar is the lead solicitor for scottish covid bereaved group. also with us is the former snp leader in westminster, ian blackford. good evening. it is pretty clear from nicola sturgeon's demeanour that the pandemic took a toll on her. what did you make of that? there can be no doubt that there was a toll, it was genuine, but when tears were shed today, some of the covid bereaved asked me, what about the tears for the dead? what about the tears for the dead? what about the fact that they don't have any more tears left to shed? the grief they have to carry everyday. when nicola sturgeon said she hadn't had a day off there were groans from the

audience and the covid bereaved because they couldn't see their loved ones in hospital and couldn't get answers about care homes, where people were discharged into care homes that were turned into killing fields. we didn't get answers on ppe, why the front line workers were put in the line of fire. there is no doubt about the toll that was taken but i'm more concerned about the poll taken on the many thousands of people who have suffered in this country from when she was first minister. she presented sincerity compared to borisjohnson's letting bodies piling up hi but the image of sincerity was shattered by nobody else but nicola sturgeon because she is the one who said nothing would be off limits and subsequently after announcing the public inquiry in may of 2020 and then august 2021 and then the judges

of 2020 and then august 2021 and then thejudges in december 2021 and and in 2022 the setting up of the inquiry and in 2023 we start to find out, dribs and drabs, that whatsapp messages have been destroyed on industrial scale and we find out that there are no whatsapp messages from january of 2020 until september of 2020, the most significant period of 2020, the most significant period of the pandemic and it begs the question why. at no point did nicola say, to the inquiry, i'm deleting away. say, to the inquiry, i'm deleting awa . . say, to the inquiry, i'm deleting awa. . �*.,' ., say, to the inquiry, i'm deleting awa. . �*, say, to the inquiry, i'm deleting away. ian blackford, let's look not 'ust at the away. ian blackford, let's look not just at the whatsapp _ away. ian blackford, let's look not just at the whatsapp messages i away. ian blackford, let's look notl just at the whatsapp messages but the other way in which nicola sturgeon handled the pandemic. do you think it was a mistake for her to control most of the decision—making? did she not trust her ministers? {lit decision-making? did she not trust her ministers?— decision-making? did she not trust her ministers? of course she did, we have cabinet — her ministers? of course she did, we have cabinet government. _ her ministers? of course she did, we have cabinet government. but - her ministers? of course she did, we have cabinet government. but then l her ministers? of course she did, we | have cabinet government. but then it deleuated have cabinet government. but then it delegated responsibility _ have cabinet government. but then it delegated responsibility to _ have cabinet government. but then it delegated responsibility to the - delegated responsibility to the first minister. yes delegated responsibility to the first minister.—

delegated responsibility to the first minister. delegated responsibility to the firstminister. , , , , first minister. yes because this was a fast moving _ first minister. yes because this was a fast moving situation, _ first minister. yes because this was a fast moving situation, especially l a fast moving situation, especially in the _ a fast moving situation, especially in the first— a fast moving situation, especially in the first few weeks and months. the woman— in the first few weeks and months. the woman i know who was first minister— the woman i know who was first minister for scotland at the time, thank— minister for scotland at the time, thank goodness we had someone of her calibre _ thank goodness we had someone of her calibre and _ thank goodness we had someone of her calibre and stature leading us through— calibre and stature leading us through that. she was having to take a myriad _ through that. she was having to take a myriad decisions at short notice and she _ a myriad decisions at short notice and she was given responsibility on behaif— and she was given responsibility on behalf of— and she was given responsibility on behalf of the cabinet. but the cabinet — behalf of the cabinet. but the cabinet was meeting on a regular basis _ cabinet was meeting on a regular basis one — cabinet was meeting on a regular basis. one of the issues about recording _ basis. one of the issues about recording of information, of course there _ recording of information, of course there are _ recording of information, of course there are minutes of cabinet meetings and any important decisions that were _ meetings and any important decisions that were taken by civil servants... excuse _ that were taken by civil servants... excuse me. — that were taken by civil servants... excuse me, hang on. can ijust clarified that, ian blackford, because this is very important. there was something called the gold command, a bit like, you know, cobra in the uk parliament. and in the gold command meetings, a rotation of different ministers, the gold

command meetings were not minuted. was that a mistake? they were held between cabinet meetings and key decisions were minuted. ianthem between cabinet meetings and key decisions were minuted.— between cabinet meetings and key decisions were minuted. when we talk about whatsapp _ decisions were minuted. when we talk about whatsapp messages, _ decisions were minuted. when we talk about whatsapp messages, rightly - decisions were minuted. when we talk| about whatsapp messages, rightly the scottish— about whatsapp messages, rightly the scottish government has initiated an inquiry— scottish government has initiated an inquiry into— scottish government has initiated an inquiry into what should be the interaction between ministers and social— interaction between ministers and social media. one thing we are told as parliamentarians is not to keep information. with respect, there is no mix-up — information. with respect, there is no mix—up on that. information. with respect, there is no mix-up on that.— no mix-up on that. there is a mix-op- _ no mix-up on that. there is a mix-op- we _ no mix-up on that. there is a mix-up. we were _ no mix-up on that. there is a mix-up. we were told - no mix-up on that. there is a mix-up. we were told by - no mix-up on that. there is a - mix-up. we were told by parliament that we shouldn't _ mix-up. we were told by parliament that we shouldn't routinely - mix-up. we were told by parliament that we shouldn't routinely keep - that we shouldn't routinely keep messages. that we shouldn't routinely keep messaues. ., , , that we shouldn't routinely keep messages-_ if- that we shouldn't routinely keep messages._ if i - that we shouldn't routinely keep messages._ if i mightj messages. nonsense. ifi might answer the _ messages. nonsense. ifi might answer the question _ messages. nonsense. ifi might answer the question without - answer the question without interruption, these are important matters — interruption, these are important matters. as an mpi encourage constituents to write to me by e-mait — constituents to write to me by e-mait i_ constituents to write to me by e—mail. i would constituents to write to me by e—mail. iwould not constituents to write to me by e—mail. i would not interact with social— e—mail. i would not interact with social media. the first minister did not interact — social media. the first minister did not interact by social media. what you were talking about was

information being passed, and anything — information being passed, and anything important that was relevant to the _ anything important that was relevant to the decision—making of government was recorded properly. i want to stop— was recorded properly. i want to stop on— was recorded properly. i want to stop on the whatsapp now and ask another— stop on the whatsapp now and ask another question. in stop on the whatsapp now and ask another question.— another question. in joe pike's re ort, another question. in joe pike's report. there. _ another question. in joe pike's report, there, in _ another question. in joe pike's report, there, in scotland, - another question. in joe pike's report, there, in scotland, in i another question. in joe pike's i report, there, in scotland, in the second wave, scotland's x death rates were no better than england's. what do you make of that? irate rates were no better than england's. what do you make of that?— what do you make of that? we all recret what do you make of that? we all re . ret an what do you make of that? we all regret any death _ what do you make of that? we all regret any death that _ what do you make of that? we all regret any death that took - what do you make of that? we all regret any death that took place l regret any death that took place over the — regret any death that took place over the pandemic and the first minister— over the pandemic and the first minister did. over the pandemic and the first ministerdid. it over the pandemic and the first minister did. it is right that the covid _ minister did. it is right that the covid inquiry, the uk and scottish ones: _ covid inquiry, the uk and scottish ones, examine these issues and of course _ ones, examine these issues and of course we — ones, examine these issues and of course we feel for all the bereaved, the pain— course we feel for all the bereaved, the pain they went through. but out of this— the pain they went through. but out of this what we need to make sure we do is that— of this what we need to make sure we do is that we — of this what we need to make sure we do is that we learn the appropriate iessons _ do is that we learn the appropriate iessons for— do is that we learn the appropriate lessons for any pandemic in the future — lessons for any pandemic in the future. , , . should future. destroying evidence. should nicola sturgeon _ future. destroying evidence. should nicola sturgeon take _ future. destroying evidence. should

nicola sturgeon take responsibility. nicola sturgeon take responsibility for that, the idea that, anyway, the second wave, in scotland you were no different from england and get the impression was that scotland was doing better than england. anin impression was that scotland was doing better than england. again it comes into the _ doing better than england. again it comes into the question _ doing better than england. again it comes into the question of- doing better than england. again it comes into the question of the - doing better than england. again it i comes into the question of the image being projected and the bottom line is that when it comes to care homes and hospital and ppe, is that when it comes to care homes and hospitaland ppe, on all is that when it comes to care homes and hospital and ppe, on all those fronts, we were failing and we had a high death rate. the only way to learn lessons, mr blackford, is if you don't destroy the evidence. that was the point. nicola sturgeon... you asked me not do it about you. the whole point is —— you asked me not to enter to you. with the greatest of respect, talking —— westminster guidelines, ministers were marking their own homework. we had nicola sturgeon saying something and humza yousaf produced his

whatsapps. we have one rule for one and one for another. we were as robust in asking for the whatsapps of matt hancock and rishi sunak and borisjohnson and we asked in march of 2023, we want this. i agree it isn'tjust a question of isn't just a question of whatsapps. on the question of death rate, the provision of ppe, the fact that nicola sturgeon said today she wished she implemented the lockdown two weeks earlier, well, why didn't she? , . , two weeks earlier, well, why didn't she? , , , ., two weeks earlier, well, why didn't she? i, , ., �* ., she? very briefly, ian blackford, there was a _ she? very briefly, ian blackford, there was a reason _ she? very briefly, ian blackford, there was a reason why - she? very briefly, ian blackford, there was a reason why she - she? very briefly, ian blackford, . there was a reason why she couldn't lockdown earlier and that was to do with rishi sunakfurlough lockdown earlier and that was to do with rishi sunak furlough scheme. she could have requested it and she didn't. i she could have requested it and she didn't. .., she could have requested it and she didn't. , ., she could have requested it and she didn't. y., , , .,, didn't. i can tell you because i was havin: didn't. i can tell you because i was having conversations _ didn't. i can tell you because i was having conversations with - didn't. i can tell you because i was having conversations with the - didn't. i can tell you because i was having conversations with the first minister— having conversations with the first minister at — having conversations with the first minister at the time. we were alarmed — minister at the time. we were alarmed about what covid was going to do _ alarmed about what covid was going to do yes. — alarmed about what covid was going to do. yes, the first minister was concerned — to do. yes, the first minister was concerned that westminster wasn't moving _ concerned that westminster wasn't moving quickly. we didn't have the financiai— moving quickly. we didn't have the financial power to put in place the

mechanisms... did financial power to put in place the mechanisms. . ._ financial power to put in place the mechanisms... did you ask for them from rishi sunak? _ mechanisms. .. did you ask for them from rishi sunak? i _ mechanisms. .. did you ask for them from rishi sunak? i met— mechanisms... did you ask for them from rishi sunak? i met with - mechanisms... did you ask for them from rishi sunak? i met with boris l from rishi sunak? i met with boris johnson some _ from rishi sunak? i met with boris johnson some days _ from rishi sunak? i met with boris johnson some days before - from rishi sunak? i met with boris johnson some days before that - from rishi sunak? i met with boris| johnson some days before that was put johnson some days before that was but in _ johnson some days before that was put in place to put in place a scheme _ put in place to put in place a scheme that would have done that. we will scheme that would have done that. will come scheme that would have done that. - will come back to this, i'm sure. thank you forjoining us. tomorrow, the labour party will host a major business conference in central london where sir keir starmer will claim that labour can be "the party of business". it's an audacious raid in an election year into traditional conservative territory. and there's no doubt that relations have improved substantially since thejeremy corbyn era. yet at the same time, labour is under massive political pressure to further water down its so—called green prosperity plan, which was supposed to involve £28 billion a year of public investment to decarbonise the uk economy. the hope is that private investment will fill the gap. but is this realistic? or could labour s "partnership with business" be heading for a reality check? here 5 ben.

in 2022, the labour leader, sir keir starmer, described his party to the business world as not just a pro—business party... but a party that is proud of being pro—business, that respects the contribution profit makes to ourjobs growth and our taxpayers. tomorrow sees the next stage of attempts to forge that partnership with the private sector when labour hosts a conference in central london involving 400 senior business leaders and where labour's plan for business will be unveiled. relative to the years ofjeremy corbyn's leadership, it's clear that on the surface at least labour's relations with business have become considerably friendlier. but what is going on under the surface with labour and business? and why does it matter for you? well, one reason is because business investment matters enormously when it comes to driving economic growth, which determines our wages and incomes. as this chart shows, business investment has been extremely weak since the 2016 brexit

referendum, basically flatlining. remember, this period saw the years of wrangling over brexit, the mini—budget fiasco and most recently the cancellation of hs2 to manchester. and here is the latest forecast from the office for budget responsibility, hardly a boon. and this is despitejeremy hunt's business tax cuts in the autumn statement. some argue this outlook could perk up if labour come in and provide some of the stability around economic policy—making that has been lacking in recent years and if they do forge a genuine partnership with business. partnership is the title of my report and coinvestment grows from partnership. what i am absolutely hearing from global investors and domestic investors is that if labour is up for partnership, they are up for investing. but public money is part of this equation as well.

labour's green prosperity plan originally promised public—sector investment of around £28 billion a year, in clean energy and other net zero infrastructure projects by the end of the next parliament. yet there is immense pressure on labour to downgrade that commitment. the conservatives, not least jeremy hunt, claiming it would require a future labour government to hike taxes after the election to avoid breaking its fiscal rules. as we've pointed out previously on newsnight, whether that is accurate or not is debatable, yet the signs are that labour worried about the potency of this political attack line is set to seek to scrap the £28 billion target figure and rely more on private investment than public investment to meet its ambitious decarbonisation goals. some see a potential danger, though. this shows public sector net investment under the government's current plans, falling rapidly as a share of gdp in the coming years. but look at this calculation from

the institute for fiscal studies. this shows that even under labour's green prosperity plans state investment would be set to decline. so even this could be set to decline even further. the question is if the public contribution to investment is in retreat, will the private sector step in to make up the difference? or, as in an industry have privately argued to newsnight, is the public investment necessary to crowd in the private investment? all this underscores why labour really would need a very productive partnership with business after the election to achieve its economic goals, a partnership that goes well beyond warm words, smiles and handshakes. joining me now is sarahjones, shadow minister for industry and decarbonisation. we will talk about decarbonisation and a second. first of all, now we know that a labour government will

not restore the cap on bankers' bonuses. that is a u—turn. how has this become the hallmark of labour in an election year? i this become the hallmark of labour in an election year?— in an election year? i don't think it is the hallmark, _ in an election year? i don't think it is the hallmark, it _ in an election year? i don't think it is the hallmark, it is _ in an election year? i don't think it is the hallmark, it is one - it is the hallmark, it is one decision that has been made and let's think about why rachel reeves has made that decision. the context here is we have had years of instability, years of political flux, years of problems when it comes to the cost of living crisis and of course we had the crashing of the economy. what businesses say, exactly as ian anderson set out there, time and time and time again, every single business i have spoken to says they need certainty, stability and a plan. if that comes, some of the rest will follow. it is not that simple but that is the starting point, so we don't want to be reversing things unnecessarily or changing things unnecessarily. but the wider context, our number one priority is to grow the economy. we

want to do that to improve people's standards of living and because we want to lower bills and our whole approach, whether it is the non—dom status so we can invest in health, or whether it is vat on a private school so we can invest in education, these are different choices that the tories will not make. ., , ., , choices that the tories will not make. ., , choices that the tories will not make. ,, ,, make. labour is saying business wants certainty. _ make. labour is saying business wants certainty. fair— make. labour is saying business wants certainty. fair enough, i make. labour is saying business| wants certainty. fair enough, but labour keeps changing. actually it was just in october last year that rachel reeves criticised the government for scrapping the cap on bankers' bonuses, saying it tells you everything you need to know about this government. doesn't this tell you everything you need to know about an incoming labour government? that is a priority, to grow the economy for the financial sector and therefore have no cap on bonuses except the maximum, which is 200% of regular income? the except the maximum, which is 200% of regular income?— regular income? the criticism we made at the _ regular income? the criticism we made at the time... _ regular income? the criticism we made at the time... why - regular income? the criticism we made at the time... why is - regular income? the criticism we made at the time... why is the l regular income? the criticism we - made at the time... why is the party bu in: made at the time... why is the party buying this? —

made at the time... why is the party buying this? there _ made at the time... why is the party buying this? there was _ made at the time... why is the party buying this? there was nothing - made at the time... why is the party buying this? there was nothing in i buying this? there was nothing in the buduet buying this? there was nothing in the budget to _ buying this? there was nothing in the budget to help _ buying this? there was nothing in the budget to help working i buying this? there was nothing in i the budget to help working people. the windfall tax was not going anywhere near far the windfall tax was not going anywhere nearfar enough the windfall tax was not going anywhere near far enough to the windfall tax was not going anywhere nearfar enough to help people who wanted the changes that we wanted to see in that budget. this is october 2023.— this is october 2023. there is at this oint this is october 2023. there is at this point no _ this is october 2023. there is at this point no plan _ this is october 2023. there is at this point no plan to _ this is october 2023. there is at this point no plan to reverse i this is october 2023. there is at this point no plan to reverse the| this point no plan to reverse the change the chancellor made because we want to bring in that certainty and stability. our wider agenda around growing the economy is... but this is a signal. yes, _ around growing the economy is... but this is a signal. yes, it _ around growing the economy is... but this is a signal. yes, it is _ around growing the economy is... but this is a signal. yes, it is a _ this is a signal. yes, it is a sianal this is a signal. yes, it is a signal that _ this is a signal. yes, it is a signal that we _ this is a signal. yes, it is a signal that we want - this is a signal. yes, it is a signal that we want to i this is a signal. yes, it is a| signal that we want to work this is a signal. yes, it is a i signal that we want to work with business, the labour party has changed and we need more than just partnership and warm words and handshakes. this has to be a real partnership with business and that is why tulip siddiq has come out today with a whole list of changes. it is what i am looking at, how we invest. �* . . ~ it is what i am looking at, how we invest. �*, ., ,, ., ., invest. let's talk about that, the ireen invest. let's talk about that, the green tech _ invest. let's talk about that, the green tech revolution _ invest. let's talk about that, the green tech revolution labour- invest. let's talk about that, the j green tech revolution labour has

promised, £28 billion of public money each yearfor green money each year for green technology. that is not achievable, is it? rishi sunak is right, you can't do it. is it? rishi sunak is right, you can't do it— is it? rishi sunak is right, you can't do it. ~ ., .., , can't do it. we remain committed but it is subject — can't do it. we remain committed but it is subject to — can't do it. we remain committed but it is subject to the _ can't do it. we remain committed but it is subject to the fiscal _ can't do it. we remain committed but it is subject to the fiscal rules - it is subject to the fiscal rules and we don't choose the economy we inherit. it and we don't choose the economy we inherit. . . and we don't choose the economy we inherit. . , ., ., , , and we don't choose the economy we inherit. . , . ., , , ., inherit. it has already been watered down. we remain _ inherit. it has already been watered down. we remain committed i inherit. it has already been watered down. we remain committed but i inherit. it has already been watered down. we remain committed but it| inherit. it has already been watered. down. we remain committed but it is sub'ect to down. we remain committed but it is subject to those _ down. we remain committed but it is subject to those fiscal _ down. we remain committed but it is subject to those fiscal rules - down. we remain committed but it is subject to those fiscal rules which i subject to those fiscal rules which are we will only borrow to invest, we will not borrow for day—to—day spending and we want debt as a proportion of gdp to go down. but ou will proportion of gdp to go down. but you will not be able to deliver £28 billion in public money a yearfor green technology, are you? that remains our _ green technology, are you? that remains our point _ green technology, are you? that remains our point but _ green technology, are you? trust remains our point but it is subject to fiscal rules. let me tell you the conversations we are having everyday with business and industry and some of this is about money. some of it is about how do we unlock investment? how do we sort it out... the goal is full decarbonisation by 2030. , ., , ., ,, ., .,

2030. yes, that is our mission and we are working _ 2030. yes, that is our mission and we are working on _ 2030. yes, that is our mission and we are working on pace _ 2030. yes, that is our mission and we are working on pace with i 2030. yes, that is our mission and we are working on pace with that. l we are working on pace with that. the way to do that is to sort out the grid and planning and investing in some of our core industries and the government has a role to play there, but every business we talk to, they want to work with us and they want to help get jobs to, they want to work with us and they want to help getjobs in the country. the welsh village of furnace gained national attention last year after the home office made plans to house asylum seekers in the hamlet�*s a—star hotel, stradey park. locals, furious about the economic impact of the hotel being repurposed, staged round—the—clock protests, which continued for months. newsnight can reveal the total cost of policing these protests, which were exacerbated by far right groups from further afield, came to more than a million pounds. yasminara khan has this report. this hotel in wales, once the pride of the local community, has not had any paying customers for several months. last year, the home office drew up plans to house asylum seekers here, but none of them have ever stayed a night. the a—star stradey park hotel

in llanelli was integral to the local economy. the planned changes to how the hotel would be used upset the local community, who started a round—the—clock protest over the loss ofjobs and that over 200 asylum seekers were set to be placed there. horns toot. the demonstrations, which continued for months, even attracted far—right groups from outside the area, and as the clashes intensified the policing bill soared. a bbc freedom of information request can reveal that dyfed—powys spent over1 million on operational costs to police these protests, yet in late october the home office withdrew the contract and the plans to house asylum seekers at stradey park were scrapped. the refurbishment, including new beds and ripping out key features, were already complete. but the costs associated with stradey park hotel did not stop there. obviously the cost of hiring and having the hotel for the availability of the use

by the home office will itself have cost money alongside the company that is afforded the company to run cost money alongside the company that is afforded the contract to run and manage the site, as well as costs and other public bodies such as the health board and the local authority, who are having to respond to, again, as i repeat, the strategic decision made by the home office, which was out of our control. the costs are not the only issue. the dispute has impacted the local community in other ways. last year a bbc newsnight investigation found that groups described as far right got involved in the campaign, causing even more tensions in the area. there were far right groups that were attracted to the issues at play within stradey park hotel location in llanelli and as a result of that there have been investigations and our ongoing investigations, with over 40 people arrested, so no doubt that has contributed to the additional cost of the policing of

the wider incident.