you're watching the context on bbc news. unfortunately, the conservative party and the labour party won't fight back. this party will fight back. lee is someone who i have worked with. i like him personally. i think he has made a real mistake. lee anderson had already set off on something of a politicaljourney. he was in the middle of a storm of his own making and seeking a port, and reform uk have offered him that. our panel tonight — the uk editor of politico, jack blanchard. and hilary rosen, a democratic strategist. before we get to our panel, let me bring you the latest bbc news.

the un secretary—general has called for a ceasefire in gaza to mark ramadan, the muslim month of fasting. antonio guterres also called for the release of hostages held by hamas, and the speedy delivery of aid to the palestinian territory. the us secretary of state, antony blinken, hasjoined leaders of caribbean nations injamaica for emergency talks on the crisis in haiti, where gang leaders are demanding the resignation of the prime minister. the world food programme has warned of famine conditions in the haitian capital as armed gangs terrorise much of the city. authorities in new zealand say 12 people have been admitted to hospital following what's been described as a mid—air technical problem on a flight between sydney and auckland. witnesses described people being thrown through the cabin, as the plane suddenly lost altitude during severe turbulence. a flag—raising ceremony has taken place in brussels to mark swedenjoining nato. sweden formally applied to join — along with finland — after russia's invasion of ukraine forced the two countries to rethink their national security policies. their accession is the most

significant expansion of nato in decades. good evening. what is happening to europe's centre—right? portugal is hardly a touchstone for global political trends. but the election on sunday reflected a pattern we have seen repeated again and again. nobody firmly in charge, the far—right chega party, backed by one in ten voters, and now with enough seats to heavily influence the policy of the conservative government. the center—right parties are governing with the far right in italy and finland. they are governing with far right support in sweden. in the netherlands, the hard right has advanced so far into the mainstream, they can hardly be considered fringe anymore. are we about to witness something similar here in the uk? today, nottinghamshire mp and former conservative vice chair lee anderson defected to reform, previously the brexit party, with a pledge to "fight back

in the culture war". mr anderson was stripped of the conservative whip last month after refusing to apologise for claiming that islamists had "control" of the london mayor sadiq khan. mr anderson says he wants to "speak out in parliament, "on behalf of millions of people up and down the country." we've always punched above our weight on the international stage, but now, like millions of people in this country, i feel that we are slowly giving our country away. we are giving away our way of life. we are allowing people to erase our history. we are giving up our streets to a minority of people who literally hate our way of life. we are allowing people into our country that will never integrate and adopt our british values. we have heard that before. it is a straight lift from the playbook of donald trump. in the united states, what began as a tea party movement grew into a maga takeover, such that the party is now almost unrecognisable from the party that nominated mitt romney 12 years ago.

on saturday, donald trumer echoed what many a never—trumper would tell you openly — the old party is dead. i think the rnc is going to be a little bit more of that old—school establishment. that republican party frankly no longer exists outside of the dc beltway but it takes a little while to make that transition. people have to understand that america first, the maga movement is the new republican party. that is conservatism today. our panel tonight are hilary rosen, a democratic strategist and former cnn contributor, jack blanchard, uk editor of politico. let me start with you, jack, and lee anderson, hardly a surprising defection but it is quite a politicaljourney defection but it is quite a political journey for a defection but it is quite a politicaljourney for a mount defection but it is quite a political journey for a mount that represents a northern red wall seat. it is indeed an a man who was once a labour_ it is indeed an a man who was once a labour party— it is indeed an a man who was once a labour party councillor on the left win- labour party councillor on the left wing of _ labour party councillor on the left wing of british politics and is sort of slowly — wing of british politics and is sort of slowly trudged across through the conservatives are now out to the very right—wing reform party and it is indicative — very right—wing reform party and it is indicative of a few things, i

think. — is indicative of a few things, i think. and _ is indicative of a few things, i think, and one isjust the trouble the conservatives are in and new tilt at_ the conservatives are in and new tilt at the — the conservatives are in and new tilt at the start of your piece about— tilt at the start of your piece about the problems centre—right parties _ about the problems centre—right parties are having and of course, the uk _ parties are having and of course, the uk conservatives are no exception and they are on course for a cataclysmic election defeat this year if— a cataclysmic election defeat this year if the polls are to be to leave, — year if the polls are to be to leave, and people like lee anderson are very— leave, and people like lee anderson are very worried about that and wondering what they can do about it. whether— wondering what they can do about it. whetherjoining the slightly fringe party will save his skin, we don't know_ party will save his skin, we don't know yet. — party will save his skin, we don't know yet, but he obviously thinks it is worth— know yet, but he obviously thinks it is worth a _ know yet, but he obviously thinks it is worth a try and you would rather do that— is worth a try and you would rather do that and — is worth a try and you would rather do that and apologise for the reasohs_ do that and apologise for the reasons he was suspended from the tories _ reasons he was suspended from the tories ih _ reasons he was suspended from the tories in the first place. —— you would — tories in the first place. —— you would rather— tories in the first place. —— you would rather do that then apologise. he is counting on the fact that he may be _ he is counting on the fact that he may be able to get support for those kind of— may be able to get support for those kind of outlandish comments he wasn't _ kind of outlandish comments he wasn't able to do within the centre—right conservative circle ce ntre— right conservative circle because — centre—right conservative circle because he believes that sort of waiver— because he believes that sort of waiver populism we see in the us may be coming _ waiver populism we see in the us may be coming to— waiver populism we see in the us may be coming to the uk now. | idrill waiver populism we see in the us may be coming to the uk now.— be coming to the uk now. i will play ou a cli be coming to the uk now. i will play you a clip we _ be coming to the uk now. i will play you a clip we have _ be coming to the uk now. i will play you a clip we have from _ be coming to the uk now. i will play you a clip we have from donald - be coming to the uk now. i will play l you a clip we have from donald trump

in atlanta on saturday. you will see the similarities. let's have a listen. but we have to straighten out our country and we have to do it fast. and we don't have that much time any more. you know, even seven months is a long time we are waiting, and it's at the end of seven months, in other words, it's closer to eight than it is to seven. and the destruction that they are doing to our country, this is a long time, this is a very risky period. this is the most dangerous period in the history of our country, in my opinion. it is so interesting, i watch these criminals back there, the press. look at them, look how many of them. that's a lots of people. that's a lot of people! wow! i always say they should endorse me because i'm the best thing that ever happened to their ratings. they should endorse me. leave aside the fact that the free press are the criminals, hilary, but... ., . press are the criminals, hilary, but. . .- what _ press are the criminals, hilary, but. . .- what is - press are the criminals, hilary, but. . .- what is the - but... you are. what is the connection _ but... you are. what is the connection here _ but... you are. what is the connection here between l but... you are. what is the l connection here between lee but... you are. what is the _ connection here between lee anderson and donald trump and why are so many

people supporting this kind of rhetoric? what is going wrong? it is rhetoric? what is going wrong? it is interestin: rhetoric? what is going wrong? it 3 interesting because of course this is not unique to america or the uk, is not unique to america or the uk, is your piece started out, and i wish that actually more americans would even understand that, but the keyissues would even understand that, but the key issues this year seems to be immigration. it seems to be somehow flooding the country with people who look differently than them creates a fear factor that they are exploiting politically and i would say that it is number one issue that donald trump has written back to popularity. that, and frankly, an america first, anti—us getting involved in wars overseas, spinning our resources in other countries to promote democracy. so those two issues have really become tent poles of donald trump's resurrection and a lot of people feel that way. that of donald trump's resurrection and a lot of people feel that way.— lot of people feel that way. at the root of that. _ lot of people feel that way. at the root of that, is _ lot of people feel that way. at the root of that, is at _ lot of people feel that way. at the root of that, is at the _ lot of people feel that way. at the root of that, is at the cost - lot of people feel that way. at the root of that, is at the cost of - root of that, is at the cost of living crisis? is its the failure of

our institutions, of local government, of services people expect to be good on their doorstep that they are looking to blame someone for, and may they then look to migrants, and maybe they then look to the money the us spends on the pentagon and the wars abroad? is it more that people yearn for a life that may be was better at 20, 30 years ago? i that may be was better at 20, 30 years ago?— that may be was better at 20, 30 ears ao? ~ ., ~ ., years ago? i think that, you know, there are too _ years ago? i think that, you know, there are too many _ years ago? i think that, you know, there are too many people - years ago? i think that, you know, there are too many people in - years ago? i think that, you know, i there are too many people in america who are very glib about this and somehow think that all of donald trump's supporters are an educated or unwilling to look at facts, as they see them. i think the reality is that work is hard, the economy has had a couple of rough years and they see rich people are getting richer and it is harder and harder for middle—class families to get ahead, and it is not so much that they have to blame immigrants, it is that they worry that immigrants are going to keep them farther back, and

i think the exploitation factor of politicians like trump and giorgia meloni and others, you know, they arejust going to meloni and others, you know, they are just going to use this platform because it works for them. and i have to say that, i don't think donald trump really cares about anything but getting back to power and developing as much of a stronghold as he can on issues that are different than others because thatis are different than others because that is what gives him the leveraged to get inside. but that is what gives him the leveraged to get inside-— to get inside. but jack, i don't disute to get inside. but jack, i don't disoute what _ to get inside. but jack, i don't dispute what lee _ to get inside. but jack, i don't dispute what lee anderson i to get inside. but jack, i don't i dispute what lee anderson says to get inside. but jack, i don't - dispute what lee anderson says about people's lives and how people are struggling and the cost of living crisis they have been through and the difficulties they may encounter, you know, with local councils running out of money. in some of the points he makes, he is absolutely right, but he seems to be yearning for a period of time that is 80 years ago and when you think about how the world has changed since

then, that is blatantly absurd. well, you know, his central argument is essentially that people in the uk are skint _ is essentially that people in the uk are skint and that is definitely the case for— are skint and that is definitely the case for lots and lots of families. we dream — case for lots and lots of families. we dream of an economic crisis like the one _ we dream of an economic crisis like the one america is going through, i can assure — the one america is going through, i can assure you of that, and that is not much — can assure you of that, and that is not much sign of things picking up soon _ not much sign of things picking up soon so _ not much sign of things picking up soon so there is definitely a disenchantment and a real day—to—day life struggle for lots of people in this country. what is not clear, though. — this country. what is not clear, though. is— this country. what is not clear, though, is that they are turning in droves— though, is that they are turning in droves to — though, is that they are turning in droves to the sort of messaging that lee anderson puts out. he says these are not— lee anderson puts out. he says these are not controversial things i am saying. — are not controversial things i am saying, lots of people believe them. there _ saying, lots of people believe them. there is _ saying, lots of people believe them. there is some truth in that, i do think— there is some truth in that, i do think so, — there is some truth in that, i do think so, but equally, there has not been _ think so, but equally, there has not been this— think so, but equally, there has not been this massive surge in support

for this— been this massive surge in support for this kind of right—wing populism in the uk _ for this kind of right—wing populism in the uk and in other neighbouring countries, — countries, be it france, germany, portugal, we were talking about america — portugal, we were talking about america already, you know, it theory, as you know, christian, is that people saw an opportunity in brexit. _ that people saw an opportunity in brexit. an — that people saw an opportunity in brexit, an escape, way too book for something — brexit, an escape, way too book for something different that it's essentially populist at har heart and revolutionary in nature and saw it as a _ and revolutionary in nature and saw it as a way — and revolutionary in nature and saw it as a way of — and revolutionary in nature and saw it as a way of clamping down on immigration so they haven't been cramping — immigration so they haven't been cramping down... we immigration so they haven't been cramping down. . ._ immigration so they haven't been cramin: down... . ., , cramping down... we have seen across euro e, cramping down... we have seen across europe. you — cramping down... we have seen across europe. you are _ cramping down... we have seen across europe, you are likely _ cramping down... we have seen across europe, you are likely to _ cramping down... we have seen across europe, you are likely to see _ cramping down... we have seen across europe, you are likely to see in - europe, you are likely to see in countries like the netherlands where they are trying to build coalitions, or in italy or indeed now in portugal. is that the problem and you see a scenario where as in america, a centre—right party has been almost co—opted by the hard right? been almost co-opted by the hard riuht? ., , been almost co-opted by the hard riuht? . , ., , right? that is the really interesting _ right? that is the really interesting question - right? that is the really| interesting question and right? that is the really - interesting question and that right? that is the really _ interesting question and that hasn't happened _ interesting question and that hasn't happened yet but if this general election— happened yet but if this general election that is looming in the uk goes _ election that is looming in the uk goes the — election that is looming in the uk goes the way be sort of expect, or at least _ goes the way be sort of expect, or at least a — goes the way be sort of expect, or at least a way that polls predicted two which — at least a way that polls predicted two which is a big wipe—out for the

conservative party, what happens next to— conservative party, what happens next to the conservatives? very traditional— next to the conservatives? very traditional centre—right party is very— traditional centre—right party is very interesting. there are people clamouring to change that party into something _ clamouring to change that party into something much more trump —like after— something much more trump —like after the _ something much more trump —like after the election defeat, in fact, someone — after the election defeat, in fact, someone like nigel farage, who was very involved and reform, that is basically— very involved and reform, that is basically what they are agitating for, basically what they are agitating for. they— basically what they are agitating for, they want to see the centre—right destroyed to build it in their— centre—right destroyed to build it in their own image and that is certainty— in their own image and that is certainly conceivable. it is a long way off— certainly conceivable. it is a long way off yet — certainly conceivable. it is a long way off yet but were those events do happen, _ way off yet but were those events do happen, you could see them shifting very firmly— happen, you could see them shifting very firmly to the right and following some of that trump playbook to try to get themselves back into — playbook to try to get themselves back into power. how successful that would _ back into power. how successful that would be _ back into power. how successful that would be in _ back into power. how successful that would be in the uk, we don't know, because _ would be in the uk, we don't know, because no— would be in the uk, we don't know, because no one has really tried it yet with— because no one has really tried it yet with a — because no one has really tried it yet with a mainstream party. interesting that steve reporting tonight that boris johnson interesting that steve reporting tonight that borisjohnson will campaign in the red wall seats and it is kind of interesting because they know what sort of bridge they are facing in some of those red will campaign in the red wall seats and it is kind of interesting because they know what sort of bridge they are facing in some of those red wool seats that lee anderson represented and i think that in your country,

hillary, when you look at the primary season, it is the sort of moderate conservatives that are being replaced in america at a primary level with the hardliners, and step—by—step, the party is disappearing. —— they know what sort of threat they are facing. �*tgg�*zse disappearing. -- they know what sort of threat they are facing.— of threat they are facing. 10096 and there is almost _ of threat they are facing. 10096 and there is almost a _ of threat they are facing. 10096 and there is almost a bullying - of threat they are facing. 10096 and there is almost a bullying factor- there is almost a bullying factor that the hard right, that the trump side, as donald trumpjunior says, the maga side of the republican party is bullying the moderates right out of the party, basically saying there is no place for them. what makes you see similarities to what is happening here? yes, and it is still important to know that technology has quite a bit to do with this, that we have seen the maga wing use social media and use technology and use the spread of information in very, very sophisticated ways to gain the advantage and to make politicians like joe advantage and to make politicians likejoe biden look ineffectual, to make politicians like mitt romney look like they can't get anything done. so i think that there is a heightened sense of panic in many

cases. the videos that are constantly being fed to people about people flooding across the borders, whether or not they are legitimate or not. so there is this kind of sense that technology is overtaken people's lives and in many ways, taken over people's information. acted interesting and relates to the next point i will bring up because the british government is about to issue a new official definition of extremism. the new terms, which are due to be published on thursday, will classify individuals or groups as extremist if they seek to undermine britain's system of liberal democracy. the communities secretary, michael gove, says some of what he described as "good—hearted" people who have taken part in the weekly protests since the israel—gaza war began could have inadvertently given credence to events organised or attended by extremists. critics say the new definition will be so broad it risks exacerbating community tensions. three former conservative home secretaries have warned about the risks of politicising anti—extremism ahead of the election.

but the current home secretary, james cleverley, says it is not the actions of these groups under scrutiny, more their underlying ideology. what we're doing is we're making sure that as a responsible government, we are taking action when people feel concerned, and people tell us that they're worried, they're worried about some of the things that are being said, some of the things that are being done, and as a responsible government, we are taking action. and we want to make sure that everybody, from every community, of every faith, is and feels safe in the uk. that is what the prime minister is focused on, and as home secretary, that is what i am very much focused on. this is part of making sure that everyone in society is able to feel safe. it is absolutely right, as the prime minister says, that mps shouldn't be intimidated and people should be able to vote with their conscience and we have seen some protests that step the wrong line of that, but other times really sufficiently different? did we not have cnd in

the 80s and the poll tax protests, the 80s and the poll tax protests, the anti—war demonstrations? why is this a particularly different that we need a new definition of extremism?— we need a new definition of extremism? ., , ., , , extremism? the right to protest is obviously enshrined _ extremism? the right to protest is obviously enshrined in _ extremism? the right to protest is obviously enshrined in this - extremism? the right to protest is obviously enshrined in this countryj obviously enshrined in this country and goes _ obviously enshrined in this country and goes back a very long way and i think— and goes back a very long way and i think there — and goes back a very long way and i think there would be strong resistance were it to be severely ctamped — resistance were it to be severely clamped down upon. it is a strange thing _ clamped down upon. it is a strange thing for— clamped down upon. it is a strange thing for the government to be doing at this— thing for the government to be doing at this time, they are supposed to be focusing on trying to win an election— be focusing on trying to win an election rather than tying themselves up in knots about what is extremism _ themselves up in knots about what is extremism and what is not, and there are definitely lots of tory mps within— are definitely lots of tory mps within the party who are concerned about _ within the party who are concerned about what — within the party who are concerned about what the government wants to do, about what the government wants to do. and _ about what the government wants to do, and they are wondering why it should _ do, and they are wondering why it should be — do, and they are wondering why it should be that a government minister sits there _ should be that a government minister sits there designating certain people — sits there designating certain people as extremists and some people is not _ people as extremists and some people is not extremists and writing up lists of— is not extremists and writing up lists of who was acceptable and who is not _ lists of who was acceptable and who is not it _ lists of who was acceptable and who is not. it doesn't feel like the sort — is not. it doesn't feel like the sort of— is not. it doesn't feel like the sort of small states government that conservatives traditionally want. but nevertheless, i think they will probably— but nevertheless, i think they will probably see some political gain in doing _ probably see some political gain in doing it _ probably see some political gain in doing it because they want to sort of give _ doing it because they want to sort

of give the — doing it because they want to sort of give the impression first of all that they— of give the impression first of all that they are being very proactive on this— that they are being very proactive on this because people are concerned about— on this because people are concerned about some _ on this because people are concerned about some of the very, while certainty. _ about some of the very, while certainly, when protests have tipped over into _ certainly, when protests have tipped over into violence in recent weeks but also _ over into violence in recent weeks but also because they want to be able to _ but also because they want to be able to point at the labour party and opposition labour councils and say you _ and opposition labour councils and say you have been colluding with this or— say you have been colluding with this or that group and we think they are extremists and therefore you are as wett~ _ are extremists and therefore you are as wett~ |_ are extremists and therefore you are as well. ~ ., , ., , ., as well. i know it is a similar debate in — as well. i know it is a similar debate in the _ as well. i know it is a similar debate in the united - as well. i know it is a similar debate in the united states, j as well. i know it is a similar- debate in the united states, hilary, we have seen elite institutions like harvard, yale and pen face backlash is for the kind of protest they have allowed and how they have viewed those protests. is there a similar debate about redefining what extremism is?— debate about redefining what extremism is? . , ., ., ., extremism is? that is, although for the most part. _ extremism is? that is, although for the most part. it — extremism is? that is, although for the most part, it has _ extremism is? that is, although for the most part, it has been - extremism is? that is, although for the most part, it has been taken i extremism is? that is, although for the most part, it has been taken byj the most part, it has been taken by private institutions rather than the government trying to come up with a definition of extremism and impose it on everyone. i think it is appropriate for it to be outside the scope of government, which should be standing by a free—speech model.

what you have, though, is a real concern on the life and safety of effective people and so at harvard, for instance, thejewish students couldn't go to class and be safe and thatis couldn't go to class and be safe and that is different than whether or not we are going to regulate extremism. —— the life and safety of affected people. ithink extremism. —— the life and safety of affected people. i think there is fine line here but i also thinkjack is right that we have to try to draw it always. is right that we have to try to draw it alwa s. ., ~ is right that we have to try to draw it alwa s. . ,, ._ , i. it always. that i think maybe you exacerbate _ it always. that i think maybe you exacerbate the _ it always. that i think maybe you exacerbate the problem - it always. that i think maybe you exacerbate the problem if - it always. that i think maybe you exacerbate the problem if you i it always. that i think maybe you | exacerbate the problem if you tell people there is division and you tell people that is more extremism as he did on the steps of number ten as he did on the steps of number ten a couple of fridays ago, do you make the problem worse? line that is certainly what the former home secretary is that you mention earlier warning about and there is definitely a danger that that can happen and when we talk about these big protest that happen and when we talk about these bi ”rotes . ., ,, happen and when we talk about these bi nurotes . . , , . . big protest that happen in central london many _ big protest that happen in central london many saturday _ big protest that happen in central london many saturday since - big protest that happen in central london many saturday since last| london many saturday since last october — london many saturday since last october protesting largely about israet's — october protesting largely about israel's treatment of people in gaza

and the _ israel's treatment of people in gaza and the vast majority of those protests — and the vast majority of those protests are completely peaceful and people _ protests are completely peaceful and people are rightfully using their power— people are rightfully using their power to— people are rightfully using their power to protest. there are fringes amongst _ power to protest. there are fringes amongst its thickly step over that line amongst its thickly step over that tine but— amongst its thickly step over that line but that doesn't mean that the whole _ line but that doesn't mean that the whole country is now awash with extremism and that we need vast new clampdowns upon all protests and so there is— clampdowns upon all protests and so there is certainly a danger of the government seeing a political opportunity in a election year to try to _ opportunity in a election year to try to stoke some of that up and then— try to stoke some of that up and then be — try to stoke some of that up and then be seen to be taking tough action~ — then be seen to be taking tough action. ., then be seen to be taking tough action. . ., action. 0k, we will leave that there because i action. 0k, we will leave that there because i know _ action. 0k, we will leave that there because i know you _ action. 0k, we will leave that there because i know you both _ action. 0k, we will leave that there because i know you both want - action. 0k, we will leave that there because i know you both want to i action. 0k, we will leave that there l because i know you both want to talk about the biggest story of the day and that is the princess of wales, who was photographed incidentally this afternoon leaving windsor castle with her husband, prince william, just after she had apologised for editing a family photograph that was released by kensington palace on mothering sunday. the princess was seen in the back of a car there as it took william to westminster abbey for the commonwealth day service. the unexpected sighting comes after five photo agencies, including writers and associated press, recording

image of her alongside herfree black children over concerns that it had been digitally altered. in a tweet from the kensington royal account, she apologised and said... —— reuters. i watched the american networks this morning, hilary, they love a royal story and particularly a story like this one. it is love a royal story and particularly a story like this one.— a story like this one. it is greedy how much _ a story like this one. it is greedy how much attention _ a story like this one. it is greedy how much attention the - a story like this one. it is greedy how much attention the story i a story like this one. it is greedy how much attention the story is| how much attention the story is getting in the united states. we do love a royal story —— it is crazy. and i myself i'm kind of a royalist but i am honestly appalled at the weight the prince and princess of wales have handled this and it is just so bad from a pr perspective that they would not be more forthcoming —— the way they have handled this. that they would not be more understanding in a way people's right to know and after all, they

are public servants and they are subsidised by the government and by people's tax dollars and that comes with a certain amount of responsibility and yes, if you have... you are certainly entitled to privacy around illness but this is 75 days and it is very hard to think of a stomach operation that takes 75 days and a conspiracy theories abound and you would think they would want to clear it up but they would want to clear it up but they don't seem to. you they would want to clear it up but they don't seem to.— they would want to clear it up but they don't seem to. you would think they don't seem to. you would think the communication _ they don't seem to. you would think the communication is _ they don't seem to. you would think the communication is deep - they don't seem to. you would think the communication is deep and - they don't seem to. you would thinkj the communication is deep and want to clear it up, wouldn't you, jack was back at someone who is a horribly un—photogenic on family photographs, my children and we are regulars, i am always trying to change photographs and adapt it to make it better and that is bad enough, but the communications team out there and they are surely fully cognizant of every conspiracy theory out there so this photograph in and of itself is crucially important, right? of itself is crucially important, ri . ht? ., of itself is crucially important, riuht? ., ., ., of itself is crucially important, riuht? ., ., ., ., right? you have to assume that the whole purpose _ right? you have to assume that the whole purpose of _ right? you have to assume that the whole purpose of this _ right? you have to assume that the whole purpose of this photograph l right? you have to assume that the i whole purpose of this photograph was to put _ whole purpose of this photograph was to put the _ whole purpose of this photograph was to put the conspiracy theories to

bed, _ to put the conspiracy theories to bed. to — to put the conspiracy theories to bed, to say here is kate, happy with her family. — bed, to say here is kate, happy with her family, there is nothing to worry— her family, there is nothing to worry about and they couldn't have -ot worry about and they couldn't have got it _ worry about and they couldn't have got it any _ worry about and they couldn't have got it any wrong if they tried, it is like _ got it any wrong if they tried, it is like an— got it any wrong if they tried, it is like an episode out of a sitcom, it is hilarious, we have to assume this was— it is hilarious, we have to assume this was a — it is hilarious, we have to assume this was a genuine mess up where they try— this was a genuine mess up where they try to— this was a genuine mess up where they try to modify the image to get all children of smiling faces and we have att— all children of smiling faces and we have all been there and it is hard to do— have all been there and it is hard to do but— have all been there and it is hard to do but if— have all been there and it is hard to do but if someone noticed it was doctored _ to do but if someone noticed it was doctored you would only be pouring fuel doctored you would only be pouring fuet on— doctored you would only be pouring fuel on the — doctored you would only be pouring fuel on the fire and pointing out this rather— fuel on the fire and pointing out this rather amateurjob, fuel on the fire and pointing out this ratheramateurjob, it fuel on the fire and pointing out this rather amateurjob, it is done much _ this rather amateurjob, it is done much more — this rather amateurjob, it is done much more harm than good in terms of its purpose _ much more harm than good in terms of its purpose and people would be talking _ its purpose and people would be talking about this conspiracy until the end _ talking about this conspiracy until the end of— talking about this conspiracy until the end of time. find talking about this conspiracy until the end of time.— the end of time. and that is the oint, the end of time. and that is the point, actually. _ the end of time. and that is the point, actually. no, _ the end of time. and that is the | point, actually. no, photographs from the royal family through the ages have been touched up and doctored, hilary. what has changed here? why would associated press take an unprecedented decision to kill a photograph and sent an advisory to newsrooms? why have they done that? i

advisory to newsrooms? why have they done that? . ~ advisory to newsrooms? why have they done that? . ,, ., , done that? i take the opposite view ofthe done that? i take the opposite view of the same — done that? i take the opposite view of the same fact _ done that? i take the opposite view of the same fact which _ done that? i take the opposite view of the same fact which is _ done that? i take the opposite view of the same fact which is it - done that? i take the opposite view of the same fact which is it took - done that? i take the opposite view of the same fact which is it took a l of the same fact which is it took a lot for them to kill this photograph. they must have really had big doubts and my sense is that it is notjust about had big doubts and my sense is that it is not just about the had big doubts and my sense is that it is notjust about the positioning of princess charlotte's hand, that they had to believe that there was something more to it, and you know, kate middleton is well known for waving at the paparazzi, for spending time out in public, allowing herself to be photographed constantly because she knows that thatis constantly because she knows that that is part of the gig. but now we are 76 or 77 days later, this is the first photograph, that is why it is a big deal. first photograph, that is why it is a bi deal. ,, �* a big deal. indeed so. i guess we're not auoin a big deal. indeed so. i guess we're rrot going to — a big deal. indeed so. i guess we're rrot going to get _ a big deal. indeed so. i guess we're rrot going to get any _ a big deal. indeed so. i guess we're not going to get any comment - a big deal. indeed so. i guess we're not going to get any comment on i a big deal. indeed so. i guess we're| not going to get any comment on it. they don't tend to react, jack, to the social media for rory, but is it a crisis? today need to come out and do something? it help to put the original photo out? it do something? it help to put the original photo out?— do something? it help to put the original photo out? it depends what is the original— original photo out? it depends what is the original photo _ original photo out? it depends what is the original photo it _

original photo out? it depends what is the original photo it looks - original photo out? it depends what is the original photo it looks like. i is the original photo it looks like. ithink— is the original photo it looks like. i think there is one other important point _ i think there is one other important point to— i think there is one other important point to make about this which is there _ point to make about this which is there is— point to make about this which is there is a — point to make about this which is there is a trend among senior people in authority— there is a trend among senior people in authority is to try to take complete control of their images in a way— complete control of their images in a way they— complete control of their images in a way they didn't used to do. you know. _ a way they didn't used to do. you know. we — a way they didn't used to do. you know, we saw borisjohnson employing his own _ know, we saw borisjohnson employing his own personal photographer on taxpayers' — his own personal photographer on taxpayers' money to follow her around — taxpayers' money to follow her around when he was prime minister and release — around when he was prime minister and release photos of the prime minister— and release photos of the prime minister looking good in action to the grateful public. it used to be that well— known, trusted photographers from the press association and other agencies would io association and other agencies would -o in association and other agencies would go in and _ association and other agencies would go in and take these pictures and we knew— go in and take these pictures and we knew they— go in and take these pictures and we knew they were at the jet. now they are being _ knew they were at the jet. now they are being released by these authorities themselves with their own photographers —— we knew they were legitimate. in this case it was a botched — were legitimate. in this case it was a botched job but that is basically eight _ a botched job but that is basically eight and — a botched job but that is basically eight and this would not have happened if a trusted, independent photographer would have been asked to come _ photographer would have been asked to come in— photographer would have been asked to come in and take the pictures, and we _ to come in and take the pictures, and we would have known they had not mini belated the images. this is frankly— mini belated the images. this is frankty a — mini belated the images. this is frankly a case of authorities, this

is propaganda, then dragging the images _ is propaganda, then dragging the images and creating what they want to took— images and creating what they want to look like and handing them out and they— to look like and handing them out and they have been caught out. —— had they— and they have been caught out. —— had they not— and they have been caught out. —— had they not manipulated the images. here is _ had they not manipulated the images. here is something about the czech republic, another lesson in double—checking before you check send, so apparently the former prime minister sent this e—mail where he attempted to ask for personal information about the foreign minister in this e—mail, but apparently he mistakenly sent it to the wrong address and it was made public and in it, he says, get me some background on this f—ing man, and write me a story on israel and how he doesn't have time for our own people, and how he was going around doha, the postal votes stuff. sent it to the wrong guy. always send it —— check what is in the address book

before you press send. we will be back after this. hello. i can't promise we will lose all the cloud through this week because they will be some rain at times but it will be some rain at times but it will start to feel milder. you can see the extent of the clouds in the earlier satellite picture with that's producing some rain and drizzle in some places and a few bright eclipses in south—west england and wales and run off to brighter spells elsewhere but conversely some showers in scotland. the highest values further south are up the highest values further south are up to around 12. this evening and tonight, we will keep a lot of cloud, it's a mist and merck in places and a few clear spells but some alt space of rain.

if you do see clear skies for any length of time, it mayjust turn a little bit chilly to start tuesday morning, but you can see this frontal system working in from the west, in fact various pulses of moisture, pulses of rain running along this frontal system. here's the first one, pushing its way eastwards as we go through the day on tuesday, pretty wet across a good part of england and wales, some of that rain getting into scotland, as well. perhaps a little bit drier and brighterfor a time in northern ireland, and i think north of scotland will also see some sunshine at times. generally quite a cloudy day, but starting to feel milder — 13 in cardiff, ia degrees in belfast. through tuesday night and into wednesday, these various frontal systems continue to wriggle through. this frontal system here, this cold fronts, will be pushing a little bit further southwards on wednesday, outbreaks of rain with that. to the north of it, some sunshine, will be quite windy in the far north, with some scattered showers. to the south of our weather front, a lot of cloud, and here, it will feel very mild indeed — 15, maybe 16 degrees if you do get a little bit of brightness.

as we move towards the end of the week, we will see mild air surging northwards. temperatures may peak around thursday, with values up to 16, possibly 17 degrees in parts of eastern england. it does stay pretty mild as we head towards the weekend, but there will be a fair amount of cloud and some rain at times.

hello, i'm christian fraser.

you're watching the context on bbc news. oppenheimer wins big at the oscars, taking seven awards including best picture, best director and the best actor. welcome back. in the last few hours, the united states top spies have been providing the senate intelligence committee with their revised annual threat assessment. and it is the spectre of foreign interference in elections, that is viewed as the biggest challenge. the kremlin's cyber warfare have dominated the discussion since 2016, but china, iran, north korea are all developing ai capabilities. vice chair marco rubio said sunday there is now a determined outside effort to influence us policy, and to divide this country, on a regular basis." the director of national intelligence avril haines pointed to three main challenges — the competition with the major