post office chairman was told to delay compensation to sub—postmasters until after the election. she's called the allegations �*completely false�*. i will not hesitate to defend myself and more importantly my officials, who cannot respond directly to these baseless attacks. right now, the post office's number—one priority must be delivering compensation to postmasters. and the bafta goes to... all right, i can read it. ..0ppenheimer! applause. and oppenheimer was the big winner at the baftas, taking home seven prizes, including best film. hello, i'm matthew amroliwala, welcome to verified live, 3 hours of breaking stories, and checking out the truth behind them. we start with the death of the russian opposition leader who died in jail last week. we'll be going live shortly

to the house of commons, where the uk government will be making a statement on his death. this morning navalny�*s widow yulia accused the russian president, vladimir putin, of killing her husband. in a video statement, yulia navalnaya accused the russian authorities of murdering her husband and hiding his body. she promised that she would continue the fight for a free russia. let's listen to what she had to say. translation: three days ago, vladimir putin killed my - husband, alexei navalny. putin killed the father of my children. putin took away the dearest thing i had, the closest and most beloved person. but putin also took navalny from you. somewhere in a colony in the far north, above the arctic circle in the eternal winter, putin killed notjust a man, alexei navalny — together with him, he wanted to kill our hopes, ourfreedom, our future, to destroy and nullified

the best proof that russia can be different, that we are strong, that we are brave, that we believe and desperately fight and want to live differently. there are few details about the circumstances around the death of alexei navalny. our reporter olga robinson from bbc verify has more on what we do know. it's been four days since russian opposition leader alexei navalny died in prison, and there's still very little that we know about the circumstances of his death. so let's take a look at what we can say so far. just to remind you, alexei navalny died here, in a remote prison in the arctic circle on the 16th of february, as you can see from the map here. this has been confirmed by both russian authorities and his supporters. this video was published last night by an independent russian outlet. they think it could show the moment navalny�*s body was transferred in a convoy of prison vehicles to the town of salekhard

the night after navalny died. but we can't independently verify this from this video alone. we do know, though, that the footage was filmed some 30 kilometres from prison, here. and we know this because we've matched some details like the layout and some of the details, like this building with flags, to the area. now, let's go back to when he died. the russian prison service said that he felt unwell after a walk, lost consciousness shortly after and died. the penal colony told navalny�*s family he died at 1417 local time, which is 9:17am in the uk. now, the official time of death raises some questions. injanuary, mr navalny himself, through his team that runs his social media said that walks from inmates in solitary confinement happened at 6:30am in the morning.

and we know he was put into solitary just taste before his death. ——and we know he was put into solitaryjust days before his death. we also know that their fellow inmate told an independent newspaper that they had heard of navalny�*s death at around 10am local time. that's a whole four hours before the state time of death. the inmate also spoke of a commotion at the prison the day before navalny died, but we can't independently verify this. we also don't know for sure where his body is. navalny�*s mother, who arrived at the area on saturday, has now visited the mortuary in salekhard where she was told the body had been taken to. now kira, navalny�*s spokesperson, said in a post on x that his mother was not allowed inside and that the staff did not confirm whether the body was there. she also said in a separate tweet, as you can see here, that they had been told the investigation into navalny�*s death had been extended indefinitely.

and we still don't really know what caused the death. the penal colony reportedly told navalny�*s mother on saturday that he suffered sudden death syndrome, yet according to kira, investigations said earlier today that the cause of death is still unknown. mr navalny�*s supporters say they have no doubt this was murder, and as is often the case with high—profile deaths in russia, russian officials and state media were quick to offer a multitude of explanation. for example, just minutes after the news broke, russia's rt — this is a state news channel — quoted a source saying a blood clot was to blame. they did not offer any evidence, and withinjust hours of the news breaking, some politicians and officials like this man here — he's head of one of the parties — blamed the west for navalny�*s death. some social media users

went even further, blaming navalny�*s death without any proof whatsoever, on covid vaccines or even his wife. now, we know that his wife has now announced she will continue his work, and so we're likely to see more conspiracy theories like this emerge. let's speak to valerie hopkins, correspondent for the new york times, covering ukraine and russia. welcome to the programme. we've had three or four days now, welcome to the programme. we've had three orfour days now, no welcome to the programme. we've had three or four days now, no clearer to getting an exact three or four days now, no clearer to getting an exact answer three or four days now, no clearer to getting an exact answer in three or four days now, no clearer to getting an exact answer in terms of how alexei navalny died, even where his body is. is that a deliberate tactic, do you think? far be it for deliberate tactic, do you think? lg: be it for me to speculate about the tactics, but i do think some of your colleagues at the bbc russian service have spoken to medical experts who have said the longer the autopsy is delayed, the less likely that this has been caused by natural

causes, and the spokesperson for the navalny group announced just a few hours ago that navalny�*s mother was told that she would not get to see the body in the body would not be handed overfor at the body in the body would not be handed over for at least two the body in the body would not be handed overfor at least two more weeks. which, of course has raised the suspicions even further of foul play. the suspicions even further of foul -la _ . the suspicions even further of foul . [a , ~ . the suspicions even further of foul .la , . . , the suspicions even further of foul play. we have seen a cracked on since friday. _ play. we have seen a cracked on since friday, even _ play. we have seen a cracked on since friday, even people - play. we have seen a cracked on since friday, even people laying| since friday, even people laying flowers and going to mark their own tributes. give me a sense of what it is like there. is there a sense of fear in terms of being able to voice publicly or do anything publicly that might suggest support for alexei navalny?— that might suggest support for alexei navaln ? ~ , ,., , ~ alexei navalny? absolutely. i think a lot of russians _ alexei navalny? absolutely. i think a lot of russians are _ alexei navalny? absolutely. i think a lot of russians are grappling - alexei navalny? absolutely. i think a lot of russians are grappling with the type of questions that we in the west have thankfully not had to consider for a west have thankfully not had to considerfor a long time. i spoke to people on saturday at who came to see some of the impromptu memorials for alexei navalny where people laid flowers and bringing photos. i spoke to when what young

man who said he supported navalny but was too scared of repercussions to bring flowers because he was still in high school and was worried about being penalised. there were two men yesterday arrested because police searched them and one had a photo of alexei navalny in his backpack. photo of alexei navalny in his backack. . photo of alexei navalny in his backpack-— photo of alexei navalny in his backack. . ., ., , ., backpack. valerie, apologies to cross ou backpack. valerie, apologies to cross you so — backpack. valerie, apologies to cross you so dramatically, - backpack. valerie, apologies to cross you so dramatically, but i backpack. valerie, apologies to i cross you so dramatically, but that statement has just started in the house of commons. began the meeting on saturday in honour of mr navalny. our ambassador laid flowers on saturday. the ideals which mr navalny stood and died will live forever. and i commend this statement to the house. the shadow minister. thank you, madam deputy speaker, and grateful to the ministerfor speaker, and grateful to the minister for advanced sight of his statement. made of deputy speaker, this week in may right honourable friend, the leader of the opposition

in the shadow foreign secretary attended the munich security conference and heard julia navalny, alexei navalny�*s wife speaking with remarkable courage and in a moment of utter personal greed. —— yulia. i'm sure the house willjoin us in sending our deepest condolences to her and herfamily. the death of alexei navalny was shocking and yet cruelly predictable. let us be crystal clear. one person bears the overwhelming responsibility for his death. one person above all others should be held accountable. alexei navalny is yet another victim of the oppressive system that putin has built. the system in which he was such a potent critic. he was not a saint, but to fight relentlessly, optimistically and with good humour against the corruption and hypocrisy of modern russia and indeed the last few years of his life or a profile in courage. after an assassination attempt with a chemical weapon there would have been no shame it all in

seeking a quiet life, but instead he chose not to return cash notjust to return to the very best to return to russia and he knew exactly what he would face. alexei navalny believed relentlessly in a different russia, a russia that could be, and his words, not only free, but happy. everything will be all right, he once wrote from prison, and even if it isn't, we will have the consolation of having lived honest lives. alexei navalny�*s courage, his campaign against corruption and his dream of a democratic russia will live on in those brave russians who continue to speak up. we know that russia's invasion of ukraine is an illegal act of aggression. navalny called it a stupid war built on lies. it has been devastating for ukraine but also for russia which edges further into darkness, propaganda and paranoia. alexei navalny, of course, challenged not just russian autocracy but also challenged past western hypocrisy and enablement in his campaign not just about moscow but about london.

we must deliver the changes he campaigned for. the reality is we have much further to go and it is therefore very disappointing that therefore very disappointing that the minister has shown up with nothing new to say in response to last week's appalling news. and i want to ask him will the government review further sanctions on russia, including an assessment of the fall navalny list? will he launch new efforts to target those networks that are responsible for facilitating and enabling international corruption? little or no action on breaches of new russian sanctions brought in since the full—scale invasion of ukraine has happened. so will he strengthen not just our sanctions regime but have those sanctions —— how those sanctions are enforced. will he establish an anti—corruption court and turn rhetoric unfrozen russian state assets into tangible action? when will the government to get on with it? it's a source of shame, meta— deputy speaker, that under successive tory governments, britain became the money laundering capital of the world, and our attributes to alexei navalny must be more than just rhetorical end include tangible

action at home to clean up the financial crime feeling autocrats a bar to connect abroad. i want to ask the minister about vladimir cara mosi. i have met his brave wife and mother personally enter directly from them. vladimir is another brave and vocal opponent of pollutant, languishing in prison for his beliefs. he is also a british citizen. we know what putin is capable of. so can ask the minister with the fcdo of his welfare is? what steps are being taken to support him and his family? the tragic death of alexei navalny is reverberated across the world. it might serve as a reminder of putin's minutes and underscore our responsibility to oppose him in ukraine, on the world stage, and indeed here in london. i hope the minister can provide the house with some assurance that today's statement will be accompanied with commenced threats, bold and urgent action. . , , , commenced threats, bold and urgent action. ., , , , action. madam deputy speaker, we will act, but — action. madam deputy speaker, we will act, but can _ action. madam deputy speaker, we will act, but can i— action. madam deputy speaker, we will act, but can i say _ action. madam deputy speaker, we will act, but can i say firstly, - will act, but can i say firstly, can i express my thanks to the honourable gentlemen for the tone of his response. and ijoin him in

endorsing everything he said about the heroically brave mrs navalny, those in this house who watched her video this morning will have been extremely moved by her fortitude and courage. it's extremely difficult at this time. he is the red courage with regard to mr navalny, which is absolutely appropriate. those of us who watched the footage of mr navalny returning to russia, subsequent to the chemical agent attack were humbled by his audacity and his bravery. his hope for a free and his bravery. his hope for a free and happy russia is something which we must ensure it can remain in the hearts of the many russians who despite the extraordinary levels of press censorship and repression deserve to have that promise. the opportunity to live up to that promise. it would be premature, met a baby speaker to comment on the

prospect of future sanctions in addition to the sanctions that have already been put in place with regard to his poisoning. but i can assure the honourable gentlemen in the house that we are working at the pace and looking at all options in that regard. of course, we will continue our very active diplomatic work to crack down on networks of corruption surrounding the russian state and its kleptocracy. as part of that, sanction invasion is a particularly important component in something our diplomatic teams around the world and allies are very much focused on. he also went over a question about seizing versus freezing assets. we continue to work with g7 allies to look at all legal events to ensuring that assets that are frozen might help the reconstruction efforts by those who deserve them, and we will keep the house updated as and when we make

progress. we do seek to act in this regard, and that is how we can honour mr navalny�*s memory and his legacy by acting, notjust making rhetorical statements. he asked about vladimir carol mosi through our ambassador in moscow, we continue to make... and seeking consular access to him. and can tell him we remain in contact with them and continue to support the family. thank you madam deputy speaker. alexei navalny was murdered, it's important that we in this house caught up for what it was because thatis caught up for what it was because that is what he deserves. == that is what he deserves. -- vladimir _ that is what he deserves. —— vladimir kara—murza. that is what he deserves. -- . vladimir kara-murza. following that is what he deserves. -- - vladimir kara-murza. following his murder, i was in _ vladimir kara-murza. following his murder, i was in munich where - vladimir kara-murza. following his murder, i was in munich where i i murder, i was in munich where i heard his wife, yulia, to stand by her. that is what we must now deal. the us threatened over a year ago

that there would be significant repercussions if navalny was murdered. biden must now deliver on the abstract or we will see more lives taken, such as that as vladimir kara—murza. in addition, when my right honourable friend, and to reiterate the cause for the season of central bank assets, i would make the point that that was done before the un security council froze and seized iraqi assets, so we have a precedent. there is no reason to find new legislation or other ways to do so. but beyond that we do need to pursue a special tribunal on the crime of aggression, will we consider also sanctioning the insurance agency in russia and to finally hit the hard to put in's economy, will be urged the us to release more oil and therefore drive down prices. release more oil and therefore drive down prim-— release more oil and therefore drive down rices. . , , , down prices. madam deputy speaker, very grateful — down prices. madam deputy speaker, very grateful to _ down prices. madam deputy speaker, very grateful to the _ down prices. madam deputy speaker, very grateful to the honourable - down prices. madam deputy speaker, very grateful to the honourable lady i very grateful to the honourable lady who speaks with authority and i'm grateful for her reflection on the meeting in munich. she is right to use the word "murder" and we do seek to hold the state and the russian

leadership to account. of course and i cannot comment on the american position, but with regard to our policy with russian state assets, we will continue to look at the appropriate legal path to ensuring that which is frozen might be utilised to bring benefit to those affected by this outrageous and legal —— illegal were in the ukraine. in terms of accountability, special tribunal is one of the things that we are considering, together with our ukrainian allies, and a large degree of institutional work together with ukrainians and the g7 group in regard to that. so we will continue to find the best mechanism possible that might sit alongside the icc, which is, already, of course, indicted putin, and that indictment for crimes with relation to traffic and children did have an impact on his travel plans, so sometimes the cogs ofjustice do turn slowly, but they do turn

surely. she maintained a good point about the insurance agency can i cannot comment on it now and she also asked about the flows of oil, which, again, i cannot make any comments, but we are focused in a laser—like way on the economic impact of our sanctions in the round and i should say that this house should have confidence that we take our actions as part of the g7 response, the economic impact, the extent to which g7 and international actions in terms of sanctions, the way that they have impacted the ability of pollutant to fund his war have been very, very significant to the tune of billions. we believe the house of commons can begin in terms of condemnation from all parties and —— we leave the house of commons. and also talking about the heroism of alexei navalny and his wife but then going on to say that they are looking at all the options in government on sanctions. also looking at perhaps the use of frozen

assets on vladimir kara—murza, the british national still currently being held in a russianjail. they said they were concerned about ten and continue to make representation. so the key elements they are coming from the state there in the british house of commons. in the last hour, the business secretary kemi badenoch has hit back at claims made by the former post office chairman henry staunton about the reasons for his departure. mr staunton told the sunday times that when he was sacked, ms badenoch had told him: "someone's got to take the rap." he also claimed he was told to stall paying out compensation, until after the general election. she said there was no evidence of that. it is not fair on the victims of this scandal, which has already ruined so many lives and livelihoods to claim as mr thornton has done, that this is being dragged out a second longer than it ought to be. for him to suggest otherwise for whatever personal motive is a disgrace. it risks damaging confidence in the compensation schemes which ministers and civil

servants are working so hard to deliver. i would servants are working so hard to deliver. iwould hope servants are working so hard to deliver. i would hope that most people reading the interview and yesterday's sunday times will see it for what it was, a blatant attempt to seek revenge following dismissal. let's speak to lord james arbuthnot, he is a member of the horizon compensation advisory board, which oversees compensation related to the post office horizon scandal. he's also been one of the most prominent campaigners in parliament for the victims of the scandal. welcome here to the programme. you will have read the allegations, you will have read the allegations, you will have read the allegations, you will have listened to what we heard in the house of commons. what do you make of that? i’m in the house of commons. what do you make of that?— make of that? i'm suspending 'udument make of that? i'm suspending judgment at _ make of that? i'm suspending judgment at the _ make of that? i'm suspending judgment at the moment - make of that? i'm suspending - judgment at the moment because i was not there for conversations and i don't know who said what to whom exactly. it is possible, of course, that both what he says about the letter that she originally wrote to henry staunton to say get on with

the compensation and went to henry staunton says about some unnamed official telling him to slow it down. those could both be true. the fact remains that may be that is now an issue of the past because certainly the government's actions have been utterly galvanised by the itv programme mr bates versus the post office, and that is now one of the top priorities of the country and i am delighted that it is. i will ask you about what sub postmasters may or may not think about whether it is a matter of the past, because of course, so much concern over the years about the delay and in terms of that central damaging allegation that he claims he was told to delay things after the election, we have polar opposite accounts, so how do we go about trying to ascertain which one is

actually true?— trying to ascertain which one is actually true? trying to ascertain which one is actuall true? ~ ., ~ ., actually true? well, i would like to know who the _ actually true? well, i would like to know who the civil— actually true? well, i would like to know who the civil servant - actually true? well, i would like to know who the civil servant who - know who the civil servant who approached him was to say, "slow it down". i would like to know that. i would also like to know and read the accounts of the telephone conversation that he had with kemi badenoch. it is true that sub postmasters are being affected by this story now, one conversation with a sub postmaster who had the offer of a house taken away because it seemed that the governments would never pay the compensation for the sub postmaster way to get in order to pay for the house. it is having a real effect on the sub postmasters.

yes, because people will be really concerned. there are thousands of people who have been through this scandal, and, of course, they have always maintained that it was delayed much longer than it needed to be. this will absolutely resonate, want to? this will cause additional concern until they get a definitive answer. {iii additional concern until they get a definitive answer.— definitive answer. of course it well. it definitive answer. of course it well. u will— definitive answer. of course it well. it will really _ definitive answer. of course it well. it will really resonate. . definitive answer. of course it i well. it will really resonate. and the sub postmasters, well, they don't trust anybody, and with very good reason. they don't trust the government. they certainly don't trust the post office. they don't trust the post office. they don't trust politicians. they don't trust the courts, who has also treated him badly. so why should the postmasters believe anything that anybody tells them? the fact remains that from my recent experience, the post office minister who really, i think,

recent experience, the post office minister who really, ithink, is trying to cut out petty bureaucracy, upheld tasks, difficulties with the treasury no doubt, but i think he is trying to and succeeding in getting through those difficulties with the help of the prime minister because it is now one of the top priorities of the country. we it is now one of the top priorities of the country-— it is now one of the top priorities of the country. we have to leave it there because _ of the country. we have to leave it there because we _ of the country. we have to leave it there because we are _ of the country. we have to leave it there because we are coming - of the country. we have to leave it there because we are coming to i of the country. we have to leave it. there because we are coming to the end of the programme, but thank you very much for your snapshotjudgment very much for your snapshot judgment in very much for your snapshotjudgment in terms of what we have heard today because another twist in this story that has been a scandal over the decades. so thank you so much forjoining us here unverified life. just time to bring you one more story, because —— on verified live... international shipping experts have confirmed a strike on a british ship by yemen s iran—backed houthi rebels. the rubymar was hit by 2 missiles and severley damaged

in the gulf of aden. the crew are reported to have abandoned the vessel after an explosion. its said to be at risk of sinking. there are not thought to have been any injuries. fa ct fact brings us to the end of the programme. iam back fact brings us to the end of the programme. i am back with more headlines here injust a moment. don't go away. —— that brings us to the end of the programme. hello there. it's staying mild for the time of year for the first half of this week, but towards the end of the week, things are set to turn colder as we pick up north—westerly winds, with increasing chance of wintry showers on hills in the north. tomorrow, though, it's going to be another mild day, and we'll see a band of rain spreading southwards across the country. but tonight, many places will be dry, variable cloud, some clear spells. most of the cloud in northern and western areas, and then we'll start to see that weather front pushing into western scotland, northern ireland, bringing outbreaks of rain here and strengthening winds. so temperatures lifting here, but some chillier sparks further south and east under the clear skies. so, for tuesday then, here's this weather front moving its way southwards and eastwards gradually through the course of the day. ahead of it, it stays mild, rather cloudy, some glimmers of brightness here and there.

but the rain, heavy at times, will spread across scotland and northern ireland through the morning period, and then start to spread southwards and eastwards across england and wales as we head into the afternoon. but behind it, it brightens up for scotland and northern ireland, sunshine, some blustery showers — a few of these could be heavy — hail and thunder across north—west scotland. ahead of the rain band, it's going to be another largely cloudy day, but very mild, 13—14 degrees here. something a bit cooler further north. that weather front moves southwards, fizzles out. it's dry, clear and chilly for a while for the first part of the night. but then the next low pressure system hurtles in off the atlantic, and the increasing cloud, wind and rain will lift those temperatures, certainly across southern and western areas. so here it is, then, a more active system to move through for wednesday. more isobars on the charts, so it will be windy. we're looking at gales around coastal areas, particularly across northern areas, and a very wet start. some of this rain could be quite heavy, and in fact, it's falling on saturated ground, we could see some issues with localised flooding.

but the rain mostly clears out into the north sea into the afternoon. skies brighten up, although obviously there'll be some blustery showers to clear across northern and western areas. bit of a hangback of cloud for eastern england and the south—east. fairly mild again, eight to 12 or 13 degrees, but that's the last of the mild days through this week. from thursday onwards, we open the floodgates to a north—westerly wind. you can see the blue colours taking over, so it will be turning chillier for all areas. and because low pressure will be nearby, it will tend to remain fairly unsettled. so temperatures dipping for all areas closer to the seasonal norm. some of the showers in the north could have a wintry element to them.

this is bbc news. the headlines — alexei navalny�*s widow accuses the russian president, vladimir putin, of killing her husband and vows to continue his fight for a free russia. the uk's business secretary dismisses claims the former post office chair was told to delay compensation to subpostmasters until after the election. she's called the allegations "completely false". a bbc investigation has found a significant number of nhs patients in england are stuck on what are being called hidden waiting lists.

a bbc investigation reveals that uk special forces were given the power to veto attempts by elite afghan troops to settle in britain. and the bafta goes to... all right, i can read it. ..0ppenheimer! applause. and oppenheimer was the big winner at the baftas, taking home seven prizes, including best film. the including best film. actress and directorate saman morton the actress and directorate samantha morton gave an emotional speech at the ceremony dedicating her award to children in care. more on that part of last night's events. sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's betty. good evening, matthew. tonight, it's all about the bottom end of the premier league table, as everton host crystal palace, a game which will be overshadowed by the news that roy hodgson has stepped down as palace boss. hodgson, who's 76, was taken ill

during training on thursday last week amid reports he was going to be sacked.