it also shows there isn't a huge amount— it also shows there isn't a huge amount of— it also shows there isn't a huge amount of enthusiasm for the alternative. this is bbc news. we start with the government suffereing a double by—election defeat at the hands of labour. its the latest blow to the conservatives less than a year from a general election that opinion polls suggest they are likely to lose. labour candidates overturned comfortable majorities in kingswood and wellingborough. hailing the results, labour's leader, sir keir starmer, said the british people were ready to put their trust in his party to deliver change.

labour party, 13,8“; votes. cheering. it's a result even better than they had hoped for. the biggest drop in the conservative vote, and the second largest swing from tory to labour, in any by—election since the second world war. they know that our roads are not fit to drive on, getting our child a doctor's appointment can seem impossible, and that they are paying more and getting less. today, they said enough is enough. wellingborough was also record—breaking for reform uk. the party picked up 13% of the vote, its biggest share yet. wellingborough was also record—breaking for reform uk. the party picked up 13% of the vote, its biggest share yet. the tories are terrified of us because we'veg got the policies that make sense, that bluntly will save britain, and they realise that they've had their opportunity, they've blown it, they've messed up the economy, they've allowed mass emigration, they're obsessed with net—zero —

the labour party's the same — so people are actually voting positively, saying, thank heavens there's someone who's arrived on the scene who's got some good policies that essentially will save britain, and that's why people are starting to vote for us. in kingswood, labour arrived with a spring in their step on the journey towards power, winning by more than 2500 votes in a seat that has a tendency to pick the winner in general elections over the years. westminster needs to understand that you can't get a dentist, there is no dentist accepting nhs patients anywhere in bristol. it's really hard to get to a doctor. people don't feel safe on the streets. the cost of living crisis not just a slogan, it's impacting people. you've got families who haven't been on holidays for years, people are worried about what food they put in the trolley, about heating up their homes in winter, and it's putting a lot of stress on family life as well. despite the win, labour didn't do quite as well as it has done in the past, some consolation for the one conservative willing to speak. it's not as bad as i'd expected. if you add together the conservative and the reform party vote, it's more than the labour party.

labour did not get over 50%. bear in mind this was a seat labour held throughout its period of government from 1997 to 2010. if it's not winning, and winning strongly in a by—election, then its prospects with the general election aren't that good. everyone here knows that success in a by—election doesn't necessarily translate to triumph when a general election comes. but the voters in wellingborough and kingswood have played a part in shaping the narrative as the unknown date looms closer. hannah miller, bbc news. in the last half an hour we've been hearing from the prime minister. this was the reaction from rishi sunak to those two conservative party losses. mid—term by—elections are always difficult for incumbent governments and the circumstances of these by—elections were, of course, particularly challenging. i think if you look at the results, a very low turnout and it shows we've got work to do to show people that we are delivering on their priorities,

and that is what i am absolutely determined to do, but it also shows that there isn't a huge amount of enthusiasm for the alternative in keir starmer and the labour party. that's because they don't have a plan and, if you don't have a plan, you can't deliver real change. when the general election comes that's the message i will be making to the country — stick with our plan because it is starting to deliver the change that the country wants and needs. let's speak tojenny kumah, who is in kingswood. both parties digesting these results. what can you tell us about the motivation of voters know you have had more of a chance to speak to them? i have had more of a chance to speak to them? . , , to them? i have been here this mornin: to them? i have been here this morning in _ to them? i have been here this morning in one _ to them? i have been here this morning in one of _ to them? i have been here this morning in one of the - to them? i have been here this morning in one of the main - to them? i have been here this - morning in one of the main shopping areas in kingswood and it is a mix of views. some of them, a few people were saying they weren't interested in the by—election, they didn't vote and that would reflect the low turnout which is normal, 37% with

the turnout. but i did speak to conservative voters who decided it about labour this time, they said they wanted a change. the labour voters i spoke to were pleased they can no longer have a conservative mp and i hope this bodes well for the general election. a mix of views there and during the campaign the labour candidate really focusing on national issues. 50 big concerns about nhs dentistry, just a few weeks ago there were dramatic scenes of people queueing around the block to sign up with one of the nhs dentists that was opening in the bristol city area so that emphasised the concern the people have around that. concerns around the nhs, cost of living, economy, those were the kind of things labour was campaigning on and people were telling them they were desperate for change. in terms of the conservatives, their campaign with a lot more locally focused. they were

raising concerns about plans to build on the green belt here, plans put forward by the lib dems, labour led council and also they pointed to the labour candidate, that he had recently lived in london, tried to paint him as an outsider but those strategies didn't work.- strategies didn't work. interesting that it was the _ strategies didn't work. interesting that it was the national _ strategies didn't work. interesting that it was the national themes i strategies didn't work. interesting l that it was the national themes and narrative which seemed to have attracted the attention of voters rather than potholes.— attracted the attention of voters rather than potholes. yes, speaking to --eole rather than potholes. yes, speaking to peeple today _ rather than potholes. yes, speaking to people today and _ rather than potholes. yes, speaking to people today and throughout - rather than potholes. yes, speaking to people today and throughout the | to people today and throughout the campaign, national issues were very much on the forefront of their minds. the cost of living, the economy, the challenges people are facing. but also some more locally linked issues such as public transport, there have been bus cuts in the area, this is a commuter area, people travel in and out to bristol. 50 those where big issues for them. bristol. 50 those where big issues

forthem. i bristol. 50 those where big issues for them. i think labour their win here, obviously good news for them, but this is an area that over the 50 years that it has existed the mp that has been elected has tended to be from the party that is bound to the government, so labour will be feeling very buoyant about the victory but earlier today we had keir starmer tempering that, saying it is good news but there is still a lot of hard work to do. is it it is good news but there is still a lot of hard work to do.— lot of hard work to do. is it that voters were _ lot of hard work to do. is it that voters were disenchanted - lot of hard work to do. is it that voters were disenchanted with l lot of hard work to do. is it that i voters were disenchanted with the conservative party where they picking up on what labour claims to be offering? i picking up on what labour claims to be offering?— be offering? i think there is a mix of that. people, _ be offering? i think there is a mix of that. people, a _ be offering? i think there is a mix of that. people, a lot _ be offering? i think there is a mix of that. people, a lot of— be offering? i think there is a mix| of that. people, a lot of people we were hearing on the doorstep was concerns about how difficult things are, the cost of living, the economy. families are really struggling. but also this sense of a need for change. one voter i spoke to earlier said she had voted

conservative but after 14 years she wanted a change and she wasn't going to vote conservative any more. she wanted a change. so i would say definitely a mix of issues there. thank you very much indeed. that is kingswood. that is kingswood. let's speak to helen catt who is in wellingborough. you have had an opportunity to digester results and talked about her. what is emerging? i digester results and talked about her. what is emerging?— digester results and talked about her. what is emerging? i think there has been surprised _ her. what is emerging? i think there has been surprised at _ her. what is emerging? i think there has been surprised at the _ her. what is emerging? i think there has been surprised at the scale - her. what is emerging? i think there has been surprised at the scale of. has been surprised at the scale of the conservative loss here in wellingborough, certainly party sources — wellingborough, certainly party sources from both labour and the conservatives suggested they hadn't expected _ conservatives suggested they hadn't expected labour to get the majority they did, _ expected labour to get the majority they did, around 6000, and certainly they did, around 6000, and certainly the collapse in the conservative vote is — the collapse in the conservative vote is really significant. down by nearly— vote is really significant. down by nearly 38% and just to give you context. — nearly 38% and just to give you context, that is the biggest ever drop-in — context, that is the biggest ever drop—in conservative vote share at a

by-etection — drop—in conservative vote share at a by—election since 1945. so it is a considerable drop in the conservative vote. the other thing that is _ conservative vote. the other thing that is notable from what happened in wellingborough is the performance of reform _ in wellingborough is the performance of reform. they won 13% of the vote here and _ of reform. they won 13% of the vote here and that is in part with the sort _ here and that is in part with the sort of— here and that is in part with the sort of figures coming out in recent potting _ sort of figures coming out in recent polling. certainly the reform candidate looking pretty happy this morning. _ candidate looking pretty happy this morning, suggesting they are now able to— morning, suggesting they are now able to show they can pose a real threat _ able to show they can pose a real threat to — able to show they can pose a real threat to the conservatives in some of their— threat to the conservatives in some of their seats.— of their seats. does that suggest a polarisation _ of their seats. does that suggest a polarisation or _ of their seats. does that suggest a polarisation or is _ of their seats. does that suggest a polarisation or is it _ of their seats. does that suggest a polarisation or is it simply - of their seats. does that suggest a polarisation or is it simply that - polarisation or is it simply that people are more focused on different issues? ~ ,., ., issues? here in wellingborough, it does seem the _ issues? here in wellingborough, it does seem the campaign _ issues? here in wellingborough, it does seem the campaign was - issues? here in wellingborough, it i does seem the campaign was fought particularly on the lines of local issues — particularly on the lines of local issues. there were a lot of things that came — issues. there were a lot of things that came up, the sort of issues you -et that came up, the sort of issues you get in _ that came up, the sort of issues you get in other— that came up, the sort of issues you get in other towns but very particularly here, potholes was a bil particularly here, potholes was a big thing —

particularly here, potholes was a big thing here in wellingborough and the town— big thing here in wellingborough and the town centre we are in now, there is a tot— the town centre we are in now, there is a tot of— the town centre we are in now, there is a lot of feeling that it needs an uplift, _ is a lot of feeling that it needs an uplift, they have lost a lot of shops — uplift, they have lost a lot of shops and central focus from wellingborough, there is an out—of—town shopping centre that has attracted _ out—of—town shopping centre that has attracted a _ out—of—town shopping centre that has attracted a lot of business away and there _ attracted a lot of business away and there was— attracted a lot of business away and there was a — attracted a lot of business away and there was a feeling it needed a bit of a lift _ there was a feeling it needed a bit of a lift so— there was a feeling it needed a bit of a lift. so there was a lot of tocat— of a lift. so there was a lot of local issues being fought on here. of course — local issues being fought on here. of course the big question as to what extent this play into the results of the national election. do we think we are getting an answer to the question? i we think we are getting an answer to the question?— the question? i think what is interesting _ the question? i think what is interesting about _ the question? i think what is interesting about this - the question? i think what is interesting about this is - the question? i think what is interesting about this is how| the question? i think what is i interesting about this is how it plays— interesting about this is how it plays into _ interesting about this is how it plays into the wider trend. the conservatives have now lost several by—elections where they did have a sizeabte _ by—elections where they did have a sizeable majority. it is beginning to seem — sizeable majority. it is beginning to seem almost normal and it shouldn't— to seem almost normal and it shouldn't be. they say, yes it has been _ shouldn't be. they say, yes it has been labour— shouldn't be. they say, yes it has been labour before, but last time the conservatives won it they won it with a _ the conservatives won it they won it with a majority of more than 18,000,

and the _ with a majority of more than 18,000, and the to— with a majority of more than 18,000, and the to be overturned is still quite _ and the to be overturned is still quite something, even though we have seen a _ quite something, even though we have seen a number of these sort of scale of victories _ seen a number of these sort of scale of victories and that shows that kind of— of victories and that shows that kind of how the conservative vote is really _ kind of how the conservative vote is really struggling. the conservatives would _ really struggling. the conservatives would argue it is a low turnout and that is— would argue it is a low turnout and that is what— would argue it is a low turnout and that is what affected it. they argue the specifics of the circumstances in wellingborough, it was called after— in wellingborough, it was called after the — in wellingborough, it was called after the former mp peter bone, he was removed after a recall after he buttied _ was removed after a recall after he bullied staff. that all played into the collapse of the vote here but there _ the collapse of the vote here but there is — the collapse of the vote here but there is at — the collapse of the vote here but there is at wider trend that shows they are _ there is at wider trend that shows they are struggling and their vote is being _ they are struggling and their vote is being picked off notjust by labour— is being picked off notjust by labour but also by reform and because — labour but also by reform and because of the performance they put in. because of the performance they put in that _ because of the performance they put in that is _ because of the performance they put in. that is actually their best ever performance at a by—election. so what _ performance at a by—election. so what it _ performance at a by—election. so what it does is, it is not a surprise, _ what it does is, it is not a surprise, we knew the conservatives had been _ surprise, we knew the conservatives had been struggling but i think this

really— had been struggling but i think this really highlight it when it happens like this— really highlight it when it happens like this to this girl in a seat like — like this to this girl in a seat like wellingborough.- like this to this girl in a seat like wellingborough. thank you. tom belger who is the editor of labourlist, a pro—labour but independent webiste for party news and views — he joins us live from scottish labour party conference in glasgow. just to get your take on these by—elections first. i just to get your take on these by-elections first.— just to get your take on these by-elections first. i think it is a sensational _ by-elections first. i think it is a sensational night _ by-elections first. i think it is a sensational night for— by-elections first. i think it is a sensational night for labour. . by-elections first. i think it is a sensational night for labour. a| sensational night for labour. a really incredible results. all throughout the campaign labour were saying it would be really tight because this isn'tjust, these aren't marginal seats, not even labour's targeted, they don't even need to think they need to win them to get an overall majority so to see the victory they have had and the swing labour has had is really remarkable, when exceeding labour would need if it was a general election to get over the line to get a decent majority. so a fantastic night and really put a spring in the

step and many people at the scottish labour party conference where i am today. labour party conference where i am toda . ~ . labour party conference where i am toda .~ . ., , labour party conference where i am toda. . .,, . labour party conference where i am toda. . . ., ., today. what does labour have to do today. what does labour have to do to build on that _ today. what does labour have to do to build on that success? _ today. what does labour have to do to build on that success? as - to build on that success? as previous _ to build on that success? is previous correspondence to build on that success? ss previous correspondence have to build on that success? sis previous correspondence have said, to build on that success? is previous correspondence have said, a by—election is not the same as a general election. the campaign will get a lot harder, the kind of attacks labour will face from the media, from the right will be really intense. so i think they need to double down on doing what they are doing, showing the electric they are serious about government, about winning, the economy but also starting to put up more of a positive vision around things that voters care about, the cost of living, greenjobs, all sorts of other things and just continuing to let the tories tear themselves apart, as i keep doing. the array of by—elections because by tardy problems and also the handling of the economy. the fact we are in

recession now underlined the wrath dataset into labour is capitalising on tory discontent, that is always a case of general elections. tony blair wasn't just elected just because of charisma, it was because of a dire tory record. keir starmer sets out that vision and that should get him over the line. you sets out that vision and that should get him over the line.— get him over the line. you think that is enough, _ get him over the line. you think that is enough, that _ get him over the line. you think that is enough, that he - get him over the line. you think that is enough, that he doesn'tl get him over the line. you think - that is enough, that he doesn't need to firm up economic plans and show how we plan to deliver a stronger economy? i say that because there has recently been this u—turn. on the 28 billion of green spending. sure, a lot of labour supporters, a lot of them are pretty angry to see a series of rollbacks on policy in recent years. it is disappointing for them but it doesn't seem to have affected labour either in the polls are in the actual by—elections we have seen. voters don't seem to be punishing labourforay, even after that difficult week power, it wasn't

reflected in the poll so i think it is a bit of a myth that labour doesn't have a policy. yes, they have reversed on some policies but they still have a full radical agenda on climate change, workers' rights and other issues. they publish a list of hundreds of labour party policies a couple of months ago so labour does have a clear plan and even if it is not necessarily as wide—ranging and radical asjeremy wide—ranging and radical as jeremy corbyn's wide—ranging and radical asjeremy corbyn's platform, there is a real plan there and i think when we see a general election campaign, we will get more detail, more air time and i think voters will see it and really wanted. ., ., think voters will see it and really wanted. ., s, , s, think voters will see it and really wanted. ., ., , ., ., think voters will see it and really wanted. ., s, . . wanted. you mention you are at the scottish labour _ wanted. you mention you are at the scottish labour party _ wanted. you mention you are at the scottish labour party conference - wanted. you mention you are at the scottish labour party conference in | scottish labour party conference in glasgow. how is what we are seeing further south going to play into the agenda at there? i further south going to play into the agenda at there?— agenda at there? i think it really ut a agenda at there? i think it really put a spring _ agenda at there? i think it really put a spring in — agenda at there? i think it really put a spring in their _ agenda at there? i think it really put a spring in their step. - agenda at there? i think it really put a spring in their step. you i agenda at there? i think it really. put a spring in their step. you can see behind me the media centre, but downstairs in the hall there is real enthusiasm because it isn'tjust a

one off, notjust two by—elections, it comes off the back of scotland, historic victory last year, labour taking a seat from the snp. that shows that labour is notjust appealing to the tory heartland but also appealing to a different focus to voters tempted by the snp, and so a real spring in people's step here and it will give people hope they can keep making progress in scotland and get labour over the line. let’s and get labour over the line. let's aet more and get labour over the line. let's get more reaction _ and get labour over the line. let's get more reaction from _ and get labour over the line. let's get more reaction from the - get more reaction from the conservative party. earlier the conservative party. earlier the conservative party. earlier the conservative party chairman told the bbc that the turnout was low in both constituencies. irlat bbc that the turnout was low in both constituencies.— constituencies. not a great result for the conservatives _ constituencies. not a great result for the conservatives overnight. l for the conservatives overnight. overnight losing these two by—elections. but i think we have to look at the context of them as well, one of them in kingswood, and mp

stood down. it is only less than a year until the general election. and in wellingborough we saw a recall petition, and mp forced to stand down as well. not an ideal context at all to have these by—elections and both of those local context as well. i think the big thing i have noticed is in addition to what we see in the results themselves, but also the turnout figures being so substantially down in both of their by—elections, about half of what we saw in the last general election. which of these statements don't you agree with? our chief political correspondent said it is a calamitous result for the conservative party. a political analystjohn curtis said the conservatives are in deep, deep electoral trouble. a government that is staring defeat in the face. do

you disagree with any of those statements?— you disagree with any of those statements? , s, , , s, statements? there is no denying you can talk it up — statements? there is no denying you can talk it up as _ statements? there is no denying you can talk it up as much _ statements? there is no denying you can talk it up as much as _ statements? there is no denying you can talk it up as much as you - statements? there is no denying you can talk it up as much as you like, i can talk it up as much as you like, there is no denying these are not great result for the conservative party. what i would say is the turnout figures very substantially down. we have not seen a massive switch from the conservatives to labour or anyone else, what we have seen is a huge number of people who had voted conservative in 2019 staying at home and if you look at both resorts, i think kingswood, significantly fewer people voted labour they did did at the last general election. so this is very much people holding their vote at home rather than going out to make a positive decision either way. some who turned — positive decision either way. some who turned out _ positive decision either way. some who turned out who _ positive decision either way. some who turned out who voted - who turned out who voted conservative before and analysis of the data suggest that there were

switches to labour, but there are also switches to reform uk and reform said its ambition was to block in separate victories in the general election. do you think one of these by—elections where reform are standing, but they have a point, they have a chance of doing that, fulfilling that ambition? i they have a chance of doing that, fulfilling that ambition?— fulfilling that ambition? i think ou are fulfilling that ambition? i think you are right. _ fulfilling that ambition? i think you are right, that _ fulfilling that ambition? i think you are right, that is _ fulfilling that ambition? i think you are right, that is reform's| you are right, that is reform's ambition. their ambition is to block conservatives winning seats and therefore put keir starmer into downing street. they have made it very clear. you read out that statement from them. that is what reform uk want to do, they want to see keir starmer in downing street and not have a conservative government. and not have a conservative government-— and not have a conservative government. and not have a conservative rovernment. ., , . . , government. the conservative party. you can find — government. the conservative party. you can find all— government. the conservative party. you can find all the _ government. the conservative party. you can find all the latest _ government. the conservative party. you can find all the latest updates i you can find all the latest updates and information on the bbc news live blood. we will be updating across the day as reaction comes here and you can check out analysis from the

bbc correspondence and experts. let's take a look at some other stories making news. the man — viewed by german prosecutors as the main suspect in the case of the british toddler madeleine mccann — will go on trial in central germany this morning. these pictures have just come into the newsroom from the courthouse. christian bruckner has been charged with a series of unrelated rape and other sexual offences. the man — viewed by german prosecutors as the main suspect in the case of the british toddler madeleine mccann — will go on trial in central germany this morning. christian bruckner has been charged with a series of unrelated rape and other sexual offences. a pretty confusing morning here in the courthouse in brunswick. proceedings got under way, 47—year—old he won the main suspect jane by german prosecutors him at mcgann's experience, although he has already denied involvement and was never charged but —— madeleine mccann. he is in court to face five

other related allegations of sex offences. as the trial started, the defence team objected to one of the layjudges that defence team objected to one of the lay judges that was defence team objected to one of the layjudges that was sitting in the court. they said that she had previously on social media showed radical views completely unrelated to their trial or to christian brueckner. they said she posted social media posts inciting violence against a former brazilian president bolsonaro, but they said it showed she wasn't suitable for the role so there was a break in proceedings of about half an hour and then everyone went back into the court room, backlot room there, things are done here for the day now. the prosecution agreed this needed to be looked into is how the trial has effectively now been postponed. we think it will be for a week went next friday things will presume, there will be a decision on these allegations against the layjudge

whether she can continue in post. so things are now done for the day. we have seen christian brueckner for the first time since he was named an official suspect in the madeleine mccann case in court but proceedings in terms of other charges will now be delayed for a week in a trial thatis be delayed for a week in a trial that is due to stretch over a number of months. �* , ., that is due to stretch over a number of months-— of months. beyond knowing that he won sent of months. beyond knowing that he won spent time _ of months. beyond knowing that he won spent time in _ of months. beyond knowing that he won spent time in the _ of months. beyond knowing that he won spent time in the algarve, i of months. beyond knowing that he won spent time in the algarve, we. won spent time in the algarve, we don't really know why he is a suspect in the madeleine mccann case, do we? suspect in the madeleine mccann case. do we?— suspect in the madeleine mccann case, do we? . , case, do we? there have been some details released _ case, do we? there have been some details released by _ case, do we? there have been some details released by german - details released by german prosecutors as to why they think that christian brueckner is the main suspect and they have actually classed it as a murder inquiry, but you are right, overall they have not yet released the full details of their investigation and he has never to this day been charged. so one of the reasons this trial is of

interest to the overall picture of the madeleine mccann case is that christian brueckner is already serving a jail term at the moment for seven years for another sex offence he was convicted for but thatjail offence he was convicted for but that jail term offence he was convicted for but thatjail term is due to ending december 2026 so this trial at the moment where he does face charges of sex offences all alleged to have happened in portugal could determine whether he stays in prison beyond that current release date. so it is being seen as significant in that way and as well it is a first time we have seen him properly since he was named a suspect all the way back in 2020 by german prosecutors. the fact he is embroiled now in this particular legal process, does that frustrate their ambitions are the efforts of the prosecutors to look into his activities surrounding the madeleine mccann case? isolicit.

into his activities surrounding the madeleine mccann case? well, as far as we understand _ madeleine mccann case? well, as far as we understand it, _ madeleine mccann case? well, as far as we understand it, i— madeleine mccann case? well, as far as we understand it, i mean, - madeleine mccann case? well, as far as we understand it, i mean, they i as we understand it, i mean, they don't release a lot of details about that investigation, but that continues, the madeleine mccann investigation. it is an investigation. it is an investigation that i spanned over 15 years. manly mccann, many people will remember, a three—year—old girl —— madeleine mccann. she disappeared in may 2007 and now there is investigations involving the portuguese authorities, the british authorities are now the german authorities are now the german authorities as well. they were the first back in 2022 identify christian brueckner it was already in jail by this christian brueckner it was already injail by this point christian brueckner it was already in jail by this point as a suspect and then it was about two years later that the portuguese authorities said he was an official subject as well. so as far as we understand it that investigation is still proceeding but obviously the allegations here that the defence

have said are based on very shaky foundations according to christian brueckner�*s lawyer, that trial will now continue and be watched closely by everyone who has an interest in or is observing the madeleine mccann case and that ongoing investigation as well. donald trump will next month become the first former president to go on criminal trial. a new yorkjudge on thursday denied mr trump's bid to have criminal charges thrown out. instead, setting a court date for the end of march. instead, setting a court date for the end of march. he's accused of falsifying business records in connection with payments made to an adult film star, stormy daniels. that's a name that's chased him for years, and a scandal he's had difficulty putting behind him. sarah smith reports from new york. this is now a familiar scene. donald trump's motorcade arriving at the courthouse. today is he tried and failed to get this case dismissed on delay he argued these prosecutions interfere with his campaign to get into the white house. to

interfere with his campaign to get into the white house.— into the white house. to run for election, sitting _ into the white house. to run for election, sitting in _ into the white house. to run for election, sitting in a _ into the white house. to run for| election, sitting in a courthouse, into the white house. to run for. election, sitting in a courthouse, i was supposed to be in south carolina right now where other people are and again this is where i should be. mr trump trump is facing trial in atlanta, georgia on charges of electoral interference. the district attorney who brought the case has admitted having an affair with a man she appointed chief prosecutor. she was questioned today. defence lawyers want her to be disqualified because of that relationship. you t to because of that relationship. you try to implicate _ because of that relationship. you try to implicate i _ because of that relationship. you try to implicate i slept with him at the conference, which i find to be extremely offensive. mr the conference, which i find to be extremely offensive.— extremely offensive. mr trump is already using _ extremely offensive. mr trump is already using the _ extremely offensive. mr trump is already using the scandal- extremely offensive. mr trump is already using the scandal to i extremely offensive. mr trump is already using the scandal to try i extremely offensive. mr trump is l already using the scandal to try and undermine the case against him. donald trump insist all the prosecutions against him are deliberately designed to try and stop them from being re—elected president. even though so far they have a boosted his political respond. next month he will become the first ever former president to

face a criminal trial. let's return to the coverage of the two by—elections overnight. labour are celebrating overturning majorities in wellingborough and northamptonshire and a majority of more than 18,500. and in kingswood, damien egan overturned a conservative majority of more than 11,000. let's speak now to lucy fisher, whitehall editor of the financial times. fisher, whitehall editor of the financialtimes. lucy, yourtake fisher, whitehall editor of the financial times. lucy, your take on these two by—elections and what they tell us. it these two by-elections and what they tell us. . , , . these two by-elections and what they tell us. .,, , . , , tell us. it has been a pretty disastrous _ tell us. it has been a pretty disastrous start _ tell us. it has been a pretty disastrous start to - tell us. it has been a pretty disastrous start to the i tell us. it has been a pretty| disastrous start to the week tell us. it has been a pretty i disastrous start to the week for keir starmer and one of the most difficult periods of his leadership after he ditched the green prosperity pledge plan to spend £28 billion last week, faced allegations of indecision over his handling of

alleged anti—semitism. but it is a stunning win for labour. if you look at the raw numbers here, in wellingborough a 28.5% swing from the conservatives to labour. that is huge, the biggest blue to red swing in a by—election since the second world war. a very good weekend for labour and a promising result ahead of the general election expected later this year. my other big takeaway is about the reform party, which has borne out eight national polling, around 10%, and it achieved that in kingswood and in wells wellingborough even better, and it is an important test for the party to pass. it is seriously spooking many conservatives this morning. would you advise labour to stay out of trouble and do very little or try

to actively and aggressively capitalise on these wins? it is not my business _ capitalise on these wins? it is not my business to — capitalise on these wins? it is not my business to advise _ capitalise on these wins? it is not my business to advise any - capitalise on these wins? it is not my business to advise any party l capitalise on these wins? it is not. my business to advise any party on what to do. what i would note is that what we have seen in both scenes is that double drop in conservative support as gay for labour. it is disfavour around conservatives... labour. it is disfavour around conservatives. . ._ labour. it is disfavour around conservatives. . . conservatives... let's go back to bbc news- _ i want to bring you some breaking news now. alexei navalny has died. that is according to the russian prison service. alexei navalny is only 47 years old and have been serving a sentence of more than 30 years on charges that include extremism, which he says were all trumped up to silence him. again, that breaking news is that the russian prison service has said that

alexei navalny has died. he had recently been me —— been moved to another penal colony nickname northern woolf in december. it is seen as one is the toughestjails in russia, that is why it is nicknamed toto wolff. freezing temperatures in that area. most detainees who are held there have been how their are being held there for serious crimes. we did speak to journalists recently on a video call. he was seen joking during that video call and he appeared to be in good spirits. he said he had been quite far away and back then, it was around christmas time, he said he hadn't quite received any hoppers christmas mail. we have reports coming in from the russian prison service that one of the leading opposition figures to president vladimir putin of russia has died, alexei navalny, at the age