editor of politics at dailymail.com. a busy hour ahead here on the context. first, though, the latest bbc headlines. alexei navalny�*s widow, yulia, has vowed to continue his work to fight for a "free russia". in a video posted online, she says the family had been denied access to his body because of a cover—up by the kremlin and blamed president putin for his death. a minister in israel's war cabinet has warned that israeli forces will launch an offensive in rafah in southern gaza, unless hamas releases all of its hostages by 10th march. today, all eu states but hungary backed a halt in military operations in the area. a bbc panorama investigation has discovered that uk special forces

blocked former afghan special forces from settling in britain. hundreds of the afghan troops, who served alongside uk forces, had their resettlement applications rejected after the taliban seized power in kabul. an english channel migrant who piloted a dinghy — four of whose passengers drowned — has been found guilty of their manslaughter after two trials. ibrahima bah, who is from senegal, was convicted by a majority of ten to two — at canterbury crown court. the widow of the russian opposition leader alexei navalny says her husband was killed because the russian president couldn't break him, and that she will continue his work fighting for their country. the 47—year—old died unexpectedly in a prison camp on friday and his family have still not been allowed to retrieve his body to try independently to ascertain how he died. 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. yulia navalny there. let's speak to maksim katz, opposition activist, political strategist, and youtuber with a million audience in russia. he also managed the election campaign of alexei navalny in 2013.

thanks forjoining us here on bbc news. we were watching that the video of yulia that has just been released today. do you think she will be able to represent pressure's opposition and why do you think she is doing this? i opposition and why do you think she is doing this?— is doing this? i think it is a very owerful is doing this? i think it is a very powerful video _ is doing this? i think it is a very powerful video and _ is doing this? i think it is a very powerful video and very - is doing this? i think it is a very i powerful video and very powerful speech and very powerful move by yulia navalny. ithink speech and very powerful move by yulia navalny. i think she will be able to represent the russian opposition, not only the opposition, but the russians who opposed the war and putin, tens of millions of them inside pressure now. i think she will be able to do it. i think she explained her motives in her video... absolutely understandable. video. .. absolutely understandable. she video... absolutely understandable. she had no plans to go to politics, and never did it in all the years alexei navalny was an russian

politics, but now that she says she has to do it and has to continue his mission. 50 has to do it and has to continue his mission. , , _, , mission. so she is continuing his mission, mission. so she is continuing his mission. his _ mission. so she is continuing his mission, his legacy, _ mission. so she is continuing his mission, his legacy, in _ mission. so she is continuing his mission, his legacy, in some - mission. so she is continuing his i mission, his legacy, in some ways. how would you describe what that was? i mean, he was an opposition leader who for corruption in pressure. is that still the same mission today? —— he fought corruption in russia. he mission today? -- he fought corruption in russia. he started to crow his corruption in russia. he started to grow his political _ corruption in russia. he started to grow his political career _ corruption in russia. he started to grow his political career when - corruption in russia. he started to grow his political career when he l grow his political career when he started to be a corruption fighter in russia, but in recent years, especially after he was poisoned and before when he ran for president in 2018, he became a symbol of fighting against putin. he became an anti—putin, and people watched him doing this mission, thisjob, with a smile on his face no matter what is

happening to him. no matter if you got poisoned, if he was in hospital, if he has his eye injured and has to go to treatment, he always has a smile and comments that show to tell everybody that it is possible to fight dictatorship with, how to sit, it was a good mood. and this gave power to people to believe that anything good as possible in russia and this was his main power as far as i understand, he got a lot of people supporting him. i think yulia will be able to continue. i5 people supporting him. i think yulia will be able to continue. is it ossible will be able to continue. is it possible to _ will be able to continue. is it possible to do _ will be able to continue. is it possible to do that _ will be able to continue. is it possible to do that inside russia any more? in the end, alexei navalny was arrested when he returned to moscow and died in prison we know. yulia will be doing her work outside

russia, of course. i yulia will be doing her work outside russia, of course.— russia, of course. ithink it is impossible — russia, of course. ithink it is impossible to _ russia, of course. ithink it is impossible to do _ russia, of course. ithink it is impossible to do it _ russia, of course. ithink it is impossible to do it inside - russia, of course. i think it is i impossible to do it inside russia now, because to be an opposition politician in russia is criminalist, it is a criminalised. if you speak against putin then you get a criminal conviction, as i did. i'm abroad but i still got a criminal conviction in russia for speaking against the war and everyone speaking against the war now is getting it, so it is impossible to do in russia but it is possible outside. 0n do in russia but it is possible outside. on my youtube channel, i'm not a leader of the opposition but i have more than 5 million unique viewers from russia every month and if we take all the independent channels that are speaking about politics it will be more than 20 million people in russia, so it is possible to be abroad and still speak with russian people and continue to be a russian politician, evenif continue to be a russian politician, even if you are not in russia. it is

computed but it is possible and i hope yulia navalnaya will be able to do it. we hope yulia navalnaya will be able to do it. ~ ., , hope yulia navalnaya will be able to do it. ~ . , ., do it. we have been looking at the some of the _ do it. we have been looking at the some of the protests _ do it. we have been looking at the some of the protests around - do it. we have been looking at the some of the protests around the i some of the protests around the world in the wake of alexei navalny�*s death, they have not been mass protests even in europe, we have seen people turn up to embassies. are you surprised not more people outside of russia have risen up? i’m more people outside of russia have risen u - ? �* ., more people outside of russia have risen u?�* ., , , , more people outside of russia have risenu?�* ., , , , , risen up? i'm not surprised, first russians don't _ risen up? i'm not surprised, first russians don't feel _ risen up? i'm not surprised, first russians don't feel that - risen up? i'm not surprised, first russians don't feel that their - russians don't feel that their appearance in european streets is always welcomed. this is the first thing, but i do not think it is the main thing in the circumstances. second, that even i did not go to the streets, even though i have been in new york in the past week,

because of anything like this happens, i don't know, it is nothing to protest about, it is strange to go to protest in the european capital against this, it has already happened comic you see it in your home. i read a lot of my views and subscribers wrote the same thing, they didn't feel that the public protest is now what is needed to be done. however, in russia, a lot of people went not to protest because it is not possible, but at least to leave flowers in some places, a lot of people left flowers. a lot of them, in st petersburg, tens of people got from two to 15 days in jail for that, people got from two to 15 days in jailforthat, but people got from two to 15 days in jailfor that, but in russia it was more active movement than in

european capitals. qm. more active movement than in european capitals.— more active movement than in european capitals. 0k, do stay with us. we european capitals. 0k, do stay with us- we are — european capitals. 0k, do stay with us- we are going — european capitals. 0k, do stay with us. we are going to _ european capitals. 0k, do stay with us. we are going to bring _ european capitals. 0k, do stay with us. we are going to bring our - european capitals. 0k, do stay with us. we are going to bring our panel| us. we are going to bring our panel into discuss this in a little more detail. justine and wills. before i ask you about the question, i wanted to play you some of the images from that moment on friday which was a really unexpected and moving moment when at the munich security conference we saw yulia navalnaya, who only hours before had learned she had become a widow, get that standing ovation at that conference where the dignitaries from around the world who had attended and we heard that moments before, she had actually spoken with antony blinken, the us secretary of state, and then of course she delivered that speech. justine, let me ask you about that. i don't know if you watched it as it was happening and what your thoughts are on the news that she wants to quite publicly now continue with her

husband's work. i quite publicly now continue with her husband's work.— husband's work. i think that the seech husband's work. i think that the speech she _ husband's work. i think that the speech she gave _ husband's work. i think that the speech she gave in _ husband's work. i think that the speech she gave in munich - husband's work. i think that the speech she gave in munich was| husband's work. i think that the - speech she gave in munich wasjust speech she gave in munich was just incredibly powerful. there was busily a very strong response from the audience there, understandably, and i think it is actually very welcome that she is essentially now stepping into the shoes of her husband. i think the key issue is that people who want democracy in russia have to have hope and alexei navalny gave them some hope and i think if he clearly cannot now because he has been murdered, his wife will step into those shoes and i think she sounds like she is someone who would be able to mobilise people, perhaps notjust inside russia but outside of russia and that is incredibly important. 0k, and that is incredibly important. ok, i'm and that is incredibly important. 0k, i'mjust going and that is incredibly important. ok, i'm just going to play you there. —— plate you this. in the last few hours, president biden has said the us is considering additional sanctions against russia following navalny�*s death. should there be sanctions for russia

over navalny�*s death? we already have sanctions and we are considering additional sanctions, yes. what do you make of what president biden had to say there? back what do you make of what president biden had to say there?— biden had to say there? back in 2021, he promised _ biden had to say there? back in 2021, he promised that - biden had to say there? back in 2021, he promised that if - biden had to say there? back in | 2021, he promised that if alexei navalny — 2021, he promised that if alexei navalny died, there would be severe consequences and then following his death, _ consequences and then following his death, he _ consequences and then following his death, he said russia had already been _ death, he said russia had already been hit _ death, he said russia had already been hit hard by sanctions but now he is _ been hit hard by sanctions but now he is considering more. and the rest of that— he is considering more. and the rest of that clip— he is considering more. and the rest of that clip the reporter asked whether— of that clip the reporter asked whether republicans feel they have blood _ whether republicans feel they have blood on _ whether republicans feel they have blood on their hands, so this is becoming — blood on their hands, so this is becoming a political issue in the us now and _ becoming a political issue in the us now and the pressure is building on congress _ now and the pressure is building on congress to— now and the pressure is building on congress to make short funds keep going _ congress to make short funds keep going to _ congress to make short funds keep going to ukraine and they keep supporting the opposition to putin because _ supporting the opposition to putin because as we know it is very hard within_ because as we know it is very hard within russia to build an opposition, unify an opposition, so i opposition, unify an opposition, so i believe _ opposition, unify an opposition, so i believe biden will step down, whether— i believe biden will step down, whether that is economic sanctions

or whatever, whether that is economic sanctions orwhatever, i whether that is economic sanctions or whatever, i don't know, we will find out _ or whatever, i don't know, we will find out. �* , , or whatever, i don't know, we will find out. �*, , . ~ ., find out. let's bring back in that micro. i remember— find out. let's bring back in that micro. i remember on _ find out. let's bring back in that micro. i remember on friday . find out. let's bring back in that micro. i remember on friday as| find out. let's bring back in that. micro. i remember on friday as the news was unfolding, comments of condemnation but what difference will this make to vladimir putin's position at all? let me start by asking you what you think that? i think it will make no difference. vladimir putin is disconnected from the world, he does not care what the world says or thinks about him. and all these things that the leader is saying, now every country inviting the russian ambassador to say a note of protest for them, for us in russian opposition it looks very

strange, they are trying to do something but it is not having an effect on the situation.— effect on the situation. justine, when ou effect on the situation. justine, when you hear— effect on the situation. justine, when you hear what _ effect on the situation. justine, when you hear what maksim i effect on the situation. justine, i when you hear what maksim says effect on the situation. justine, - when you hear what maksim says and you hear what the british prime minister, various other political leaders, we have heard from joe biden there as well, saying they are going to do more to try and change mr putin's position or punish him or whatever you want to read into those statements, is it all hot air in the end?~ statements, is it all hot air in the end? ~ ., , statements, is it all hot air in the end? ~ . , , , , �* end? well, that is the best, isn't it? ultimately, _ end? well, that is the best, isn't it? ultimately, the _ end? well, that is the best, isn't it? ultimately, the most - end? well, that is the best, isn't. it? ultimately, the most important thing that the us needs to do is make sure ukraine has the ammunition to stand up to putin. —— that is the risk isn't it? it is crucial that there we stand strong and in recent months we have seen funds to ukraine held up in places like congress

through more domestic debates between republicans and democrats and we have seen even in the eu problems are getting the levels of ammunitions to ukraine that have been promised because simply that is not the production capacity that is needed. i think if anything comes out of this, surely it has to be a redoubling of efforts to make sure that putin does not when in his attack on ukraine and that we actually help ukrainians get back on the front foot in that conflict. wills, you are based on the us and cover american politics. there has been a long conversation in recent weeks and months about funding from the us to ukraine. do you think the events of friday have changed that dialogue or discussion in any meaningful way?— dialogue or discussion in any meaningful way? dialogue or discussion in any meaninafulwa ? ~ . ., ., meaningful way? much more to the forefront. have _ meaningful way? much more to the forefront. have been _ meaningful way? much more to the forefront. have been at _ meaningful way? much more to the forefront. have been at some - forefront. have been at some republicans, especially in congress, who have _ republicans, especially in congress, who have tried to sidestep the issue — who have tried to sidestep the issue. they have been two packages going through congress which have

essentially been voted against, even though— essentially been voted against, even though they had billions of dollars of ukraine aid, but now it brings the issue — of ukraine aid, but now it brings the issue back to the headlines and it makes— the issue back to the headlines and it makes these maps of congress who have been_ it makes these maps of congress who have been sceptical about giving more _ have been sceptical about giving more aid — have been sceptical about giving more aid to ukraine, they are made to answer— more aid to ukraine, they are made to answer and navalny's death, i don't _ to answer and navalny's death, i don't want — to answer and navalny's death, i don't want to say it is being used to promote — don't want to say it is being used to promote this, but it has created such an _ to promote this, but it has created such an emotional response and a desire _ such an emotional response and a desire to — such an emotional response and a desire to hold putin to even more account— desire to hold putin to even more account and the way to do this is to make _ account and the way to do this is to make sure — account and the way to do this is to make sure ukraine has the money to do this, _ make sure ukraine has the money to do this, to _ make sure ukraine has the money to do this, to keep fighting and keep pushing _ do this, to keep fighting and keep pushing that the russians back. | pushing that the russians back. i will pushing that the russians back. will bring pushing that the russians back. i will bring maksim in for one last answer, you have a huge audience who send you messages and watch as your videos, what are they saying and is there any optimism about the future of russia from them?— of russia from them? well, it is the last da s, of russia from them? well, it is the last days, absolutely _ of russia from them? well, it is the last days, absolutely no _ of russia from them? well, it is the last days, absolutely no optimism . last days, absolutely no optimism from them. today's speech from yulia

brought a little bit of optimism and hope, but the situation looks in the past few days obviously very bad. i don't know, i hope it will change, but now it looks like this. maksim katz, thank _ but now it looks like this. maksim katz, thank you — but now it looks like this. maksim katz, thank you very _ but now it looks like this. maksim katz, thank you very much - but now it looks like this. maksim katz, thank you very much for - katz, thank you very much for sharing your thoughts on that story and i will be back with wills and justine in a short moment, but maksim, thanks to you. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. junior doctors are to go on strike over pay. the 24—hour junior doctors are to go on strike over pay. the 21l—hourwalk—out on march the six is their first union strike and they claim pay has been eroded over the last 16 years and what the government is offering is unacceptable. police say the father of a missing two—year old — who fell into a river

in leicester yesterday — entered the water to try to rescue his son. additional specialist teams have todayjoined the search for the missing boy. emergency services were called to the river soar, in the aylestone area, late yesterday afternoon. the british museum has turned off comments on one of its social media posts because of a campaign demanding the return of stone monuments to easter island. the museum in london has two statues ta ken from the chilean territory in the 19th century. the statues are hundreds of years old and are said to embody the spirits of prominent ancestors. those are some of the other stories we have been taking a look at. you're live with bbc news. iranian—backed houthi rebels in yemen claim they have launched a missile attack on two us ships in the gulf of aden. a military spokesman said its forces had targeted the sea champion and the navis fortuna. the spokesman also claimed that

a british merchant vessel attacked by the houthis on sunday, had sunk. here's the latest from our diplomatic correspondent james landale. the houthis have been attacking merchant shipping since november and they have sometimes been successful, sometimes less successful, but clearly in the last 21l hours they have decided to escalate and up the ante. so what we know from the spokesman who has given a statement in just recent hours is that they claim now that they have now struck two us cargo ships in the region, in the gulf of aden. there is a reasonable amount of confirmation, it is greek—flagged and the greek shipping ministry has confirmed an incident took place but they think that the vessel is all right, the uk maritime authorities have also been talking about that incident which took place about 100 nautical miles east of aden. so that is one of the american ships. the other american ship, the navis fortuna, we are a little less clear about, there is not that much information about it. the substantive attack took place late last night against a british—owned belize—flagged lebanese—operated vessel called the rubymar

and that was at the bab al—mandab strait, that's that small gap of seaway between djibouti and yemen on either side. that took place late last night. our understanding is it was a missile attack. the british authorities say the one missile did strike the stern and cause damage. the houthis claim that it was catastrophic damage and as a result the vessel has sunk. there is no independent confirmation of that but what we do have confirmation from the uk side is that the vessel was damaged. it was taking on water, it has been abandoned, and that the 2a crew members have been taken off on a tug and landed in djibouti, so clearly the vessel is in some dire straits. the houthis say it has been, as i say, sunk but there is no confirmation of that.

0ur diplomatic correspondent there. i'm still with justine 0ur diplomatic correspondent there. i'm still withjustine and wills. justine, do you think there is any way for this to de—escalate? it feels very difficult, because at the moment, it feels like we are in a stalemate where action is being taken against the houthis but they continue to attack shipping. the saudis have taken action against the houthis for a number of years now in relation to conflict that has been happening in yemen and again, they have continued, so they are clearly very good at digging in and simply continuing on their attacks whatever happens, and i think the link they have then drawn back to what is happening in gaza, i think again you look at that area and it feels very hard to see that there is going to be any quick, early resolution to the conflict in gaza either, so

whether or not these are rightly linked by the houthis, i think you see both arenas in a sense now stuck and not stuck in a good way, stuck in a way which disrupts shipping and is clearly costing more and more lives every day in gaza and the humanitarian crisis there getting ever more serious. find humanitarian crisis there getting ever more serious.— humanitarian crisis there getting ever more serious. and do you think that the uk's — ever more serious. and do you think that the uk's decision _ ever more serious. and do you think that the uk's decision when - ever more serious. and do you think that the uk's decision when it - ever more serious. and do you think| that the uk's decision when it comes to these houthi strikes and coordinated action with the us, do you think that is the right position they have taken?— they have taken? guess, i don't think ou they have taken? guess, i don't think you can — they have taken? guess, i don't think you can allow _ they have taken? guess, i don't think you can allow these - they have taken? guess, i don'tl think you can allow these attacks they have taken? guess, i don't - think you can allow these attacks to go unanswered. —— yes i don't think you can allow these attacks. everyone has to realise it is going to be a significant effort to stop these strikes happening and i think that will be very difficult. you are looking at an objective of possibly mitigation or anything else and in the meantime there will be this

broader economic impact through disrupted shipping and to the extent where it means the suez canal is harder to use which impacts on a key financial resource for egypt as well, so it has a broader regional but also global economy impacts ultimately. but also global economy impacts ultimatel . �* , but also global economy impacts ultimatel. v , but also global economy impacts ultimatel . v , ~ , but also global economy impacts ultimatel. �*, , . ultimately. let's bring wills and. let's talk about _ ultimately. let's bring wills and. let's talk about the _ ultimately. let's bring wills and. let's talk about the wider - ultimately. let's bring wills and. l let's talk about the wider situation in the middle east, more of a timeline about a possible assault on rafah. what is the us reaction to that? iii rafah. what is the us reaction to that? ,, , ., ., that? in the us, there is a growing resentment _ that? in the us, there is a growing resentment towards _ that? in the us, there is a growing resentment towards benjamin - resentment towards benjamin netanyahu. biden allies over the weekend, — netanyahu. biden allies over the weekend, they said the position against — weekend, they said the position against netanyahu as they don't like where _ against netanyahu as they don't like where this— against netanyahu as they don't like where this is going. they don't see a timeline — where this is going. they don't see a timeline where the war will end. i know— a timeline where the war will end. i know we _ a timeline where the war will end. i know we are — a timeline where the war will end. i know we are talking about a timeline for the _ know we are talking about a timeline for the result on rafah which could be devastating and looking like it

could _ be devastating and looking like it could be — be devastating and looking like it could be one of the real devastating inflection— could be one of the real devastating inflection points in this war, but the tide — inflection points in this war, but the tide is— inflection points in this war, but the tide is turning against netanyahu it seems and there have been increasing calls from biden, he spoke _ been increasing calls from biden, he spoke to— been increasing calls from biden, he spoke to netanyahu twice in a week which _ spoke to netanyahu twice in a week which he _ spoke to netanyahu twice in a week which he has not done for two months previously— which he has not done for two months previously and there is increasing pressure — previously and there is increasing pressure growing on netanyahu and his government to change course. and they are _ his government to change course. and they are really questioning his future — they are really questioning his future as— they are really questioning his future as the head of the government. and if this doesn't turn around, _ government. and if this doesn't turn around, then— government. and if this doesn't turn around, then the situation in rafah is going _ around, then the situation in rafah is going to — around, then the situation in rafah is going to be horrific, there will be a _ is going to be horrific, there will be a number of civilian casualties and this— be a number of civilian casualties and this is— be a number of civilian casualties and this is becoming a dire situation _ and this is becoming a dire situation and the us and western allies— situation and the us and western allies have really, really been turning — allies have really, really been turning up the heat against them. we are of turning up the heat against them. are of course turning up the heat against them. - are of course in the midst of eight us election year, how much is this figuring in that equation? massively. to use one specific example. _ massively. to use one specific example, michigan, which is one of

the swing _ example, michigan, which is one of the swing states in the election, has a _ the swing states in the election, has a very— the swing states in the election, has a very large muslim and arab american — has a very large muslim and arab american population and they are angry— american population and they are angry with — american population and they are angry with how biden has dealt with the war— angry with how biden has dealt with the war and they have heavily criticised _ the war and they have heavily criticised him and that could really be consequence will. also with young voters _ be consequence will. also with young voters as _ be consequence will. also with young voters as well, younger voters below the age _ voters as well, younger voters below the age of— voters as well, younger voters below the age of 25, as we have seen in colleges— the age of 25, as we have seen in colleges across the united states, there _ colleges across the united states, there have been protests against israei— there have been protests against israei and — there have been protests against israel and against biden's support of israei. — israel and against biden's support of israel, so whether young voters and geographically speaking michigan and geographically speaking michigan and other areas of muslim populations, this could be very dire for biden— populations, this could be very dire for biden if— populations, this could be very dire for biden if this situation doesn't fix itself, — for biden if this situation doesn't fix itself, i— for biden if this situation doesn't fix itself, i guess is the best way to put— fix itself, i guess is the best way to put it. — fix itself, i guess is the best way to put it, by november. gk, fix itself, i guess is the best way to put it, by november. 0k, thank ou ve to put it, by november. 0k, thank you very much- — to put it, by november. 0k, thank you very much. wills _ to put it, by november. 0k, thank you very much. wills robinson, i you very much. wills robinson, assistant editor at daily mail dot—com for politics and i enjoyed byjustine, former conservative government minister. they will be back after a short break where we'll

be discussing a range of other stories, including the latest government row over the uk office scandal. stay with us, this of course is the context. 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 spots 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, 8—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.

hello, you're watching the context on bbc news. i'm rajini vaidyanathan. "completely false" — the uk business secretary dismisses claims the former post office chairman was told to delay compensation to sub—postmasters until after the election. the uk business secretary, kemi badenoch, has accused the former post office chairman, henry staunton, of making, what she called, "completely false" allegations in an interview. speaking to the sunday times newspaper, mr staunton said he'd been asked to stall compensation to post office branch managers who'd been affected by

the faulty horizon it software. ms badenoch told mps the claims further harmed the victims of the scandal. it is so disappointing that he's provided — it is so disappointing that he's provided made up antidotes and leaks to discussions held in confidence. this merely confirms that i made the correct _ this merely confirms that i made the correct decision in dismissing him. second. _ correct decision in dismissing him. second. mr— correct decision in dismissing him. second, mr staunton claimed i told him if— second, mr staunton claimed i told him if someone has to take the rap for the _ him if someone has to take the rap for the horizon sandal, that was the reason _ for the horizon sandal, that was the reason for— for the horizon sandal, that was the reason for his dismissal. that was not the _ reason for his dismissal. that was not the reason at all. i dismissed him because there were serious concerns— him because there were serious concerns about his behaviour as chair. _ concerns about his behaviour as chair, including those raised from other— chair, including those raised from other directors on the board. joining me now is our political correspondent iain watson. ian, that row between mr staunton

and kemi badenoch seems to be