hello, i'm geeta guru—murthy. welcome to bbc news now. amidst the horror of events in israel and gaza, it's hard to watch the unfolding pain. today we bring you the searing story of one young girl. this is 12—year—old alma, whose parents were killed along with four of her siblings. more than 13,000 children have been killed in gaza since israel's bombardment there began five months ago, according to the united nations childrens�* agency, unicef, a death toll it describes as "staggering." the assault on gaza was sparked by the hamas attacks on israel on october 7th, which killed around 1,200 israelis — most of them civilians. since then, many children in gaza have lost their entire families in israeli attacks. the overall death toll in gaza now stands at more than

32,000. 0rla guerin, our senior international correspondent, bring us this exclusive report, and to warn you the content is distressing. at times, alma can forgetjust at times, alma can forget just for a moment, especially when she is playing with her cousins. here, they fashion a kite from scraps and imagination. she now lives with her aunt and uncle in a tent in rafah, a 12—year—old who has seen and experienced too much. i __ experienced too much. i —— a shout from under the rubble. can you see my light, asks the rescue worker. i swear, i will get to you. alma asks for her sister and brothers.

bravo, alma, he says, as she emerges after three hours buried alive. where are your brothers and sister, he asks? they are over here, she says. and my mum is over there. translation: i says. and my mum is over there. translation:— says. and my mum is over there. translation: i am 12 years old and the only survivor— translation: i am 12 years old and the only survivor of— translation: i am 12 years old and the only survivor of my _ translation: i am 12 years old and the only survivor of my family. - translation: i am 12 years old and the only survivor of my family. the | the only survivor of my family. the first place we fled to was bombed, and the second. and in the third place, the bomb hit us. they were all killed. we were happy together as a family, though we were scared. we used to hug each other tightly out of fear. we used to hug each other tightly out of fear-— out of fear. this was her baby brother. out of fear. this was her baby

brother- i _ out of fear. this was her baby brother. i hope _ out of fear. this was her baby brother. i hope my _ out of fear. this was her baby brother. i hope my baby - out of fear. this was her baby i brother. i hope my baby brother would still _ brother. i hope my baby brother would still be _ brother. i hope my baby brother would still be alive. _ brother. i hope my baby brother would still be alive. i _ brother. i hope my baby brother would still be alive. i was - brother. i hope my baby brother| would still be alive. i was calling out to him. ifound him in an unimaginable state, his head severed. ~ . ., ., , unimaginable state, his head severed. . ., ., ., unimaginable state, his head severed. . ., ., severed. what a memory for a child to car . i severed. what a memory for a child to carry- i wish _ severed. what a memory for a child to carry. i wish for— severed. what a memory for a child to carry. i wish for death _ severed. what a memory for a child to carry. i wish for death after - to carry. i wish for death after seeinu to carry. i wish for death after seeing my _ to carry. i wish for death after seeing my brother— to carry. i wish for death after seeing my brother like - to carry. i wish for death after seeing my brother like that. l to carry. i wish for death after. seeing my brother like that. he to carry. i wish for death after - seeing my brother like that. he was only 18 months old. what has he done in this world? this only 18 months old. what has he done in this world?— in this world? this is what war has done to gaza. _ in this world? this is what war has done to gaza, neighbourhoods - done to gaza, neighbourhoods flattened by israel as if by an earthquake. and countless families like alma's entombed as they slept. their building was hit by an israeli air strike, their building was hit by an israeli airstrike, relatives their building was hit by an israeli air strike, relatives say. their building was hit by an israeli

airstrike, relatives say. israel says it tries to minimise civilian casualties. alma's father, mother, sister and brothers are still buried under this mound of concrete. 0nly her baby brother's body was recovered.— her baby brother's body was recovered. ' :: , recovered. there were 140 refugees in the building. _ recovered. there were 140 refugees in the building, including _ recovered. there were 140 refugees in the building, including us. - recovered. there were 140 refugees in the building, including us. and i in the building, including us. and only some of the bodies have been found. it has been three months and their bodies are decomposing under their bodies are decomposing under the rubble. i long to see them and give them a proper burial. mme the rubble. i long to see them and give them a proper burial.- give them a proper burial. alma is the only child _ give them a proper burial. alma is the only child in _ give them a proper burial. alma is the only child in this _ give them a proper burial. alma is the only child in this photo - give them a proper burial. alma is the only child in this photo still. the only child in this photo still alive. all the cousins around her were killed in the attack. she has found comfort with her uncle's family, but like every child in gaza, she could be killed at any moment. what alma wants now is to

reach her grandmother, who lives abroad. i want to hug her, she says, and feel safe. and 0rla guerinjoins me now from jerusalem. many people watching that will be utterly horrified and want to know how she is what happens next to alma. but let me ask you how many other children are in a similar position? we don't know, and the truth is we may never know. there are so many in gaza who never get the chance to tell their story. there are countless numbers who are still buried under the rubble, like alma's family, almost four months on. we have one estimate from a reliable independent palestinian human organisation which is working on the ground in gaza and has fieldwork is there. it says, as of the end of

february, there were 20,000 orphans, 20,000 children orphaned by the war. they also say the real figure may be higher because of the difficulty and dangerfor their higher because of the difficulty and danger for their fieldworkers in trying to gather data in gaza. you mentioned earlier the overall death toll, which has now reached 32,000 people in five months. that figure comes from the ministry of health in gaza, and we know that gaza is hamas controlled. the world health organization says it trusts the data 0rganization says it trusts the data collection in the ministry of health in gaza, it regards those figures as credible. palestinians are saying that 70% of that number were women and children, israel says it has killed about 13,000 hamas fighters. recently have no way of verifying that. but we do know the civilian

toll in gaza is absolutely enormous. day after day, we get news of entire families wiped out overnight. this is detailed information, full family names, streets, locations. we get pictures of the bodies, pictures of the burials, so sadly there are countless numbers and we may simply never know. we are talking to you from jerusalem. never know. we are talking to you from jerusalem._ never know. we are talking to you from jerusalem. how did you get the interview that _ from jerusalem. how did you get the interview that we _ from jerusalem. how did you get the interview that we saw _ from jerusalem. how did you get the interview that we saw there - from jerusalem. how did you get the interview that we saw there with - interview that we saw there with alma and verify it? indie interview that we saw there with alma and verify it?— interview that we saw there with alma and verify it? we have to work remotely to — alma and verify it? we have to work remotely to cover _ alma and verify it? we have to work remotely to cover gaza. _ alma and verify it? we have to work remotely to cover gaza. we - alma and verify it? we have to work remotely to cover gaza. we are - alma and verify it? we have to work remotely to cover gaza. we are not| remotely to cover gaza. we are not allowed in by israel or, indeed, by egypt, which controls the border crossing in rafah. there has been no independent reporting possible inside gaza since the 7th of october. so we are relying on the 0ctober. so we are relying on the work of trusted palestinian journalists who we work closely with. we wanted to tell the story of an orphan, we wanted to find a child who was old enough and well enough

and ready to tell their story, and they found alma for us. of course, we approached her aunt and uncle to get permission. we spent time researching the details, locating the rescue video that shows the moment when she was recovered from the rubble, and also checking the details of five—storey, getting photographs of the family and getting photographs of the location where her relatives are still buried underneath the rubble. this is the process we have to go through when we are trying to get stories. we are reliant on the work of our palestinian colleagues, who are at great risk. at the last count, more than 100 palestinian journalists and media workers have been killed in gaza. ~ ., ., media workers have been killed in gaza. ~ . . , ., gaza. what are the israeli authorities _ gaza. what are the israeli authorities are _ gaza. what are the israeli authorities are saying - gaza. what are the israeli l authorities are saying about gaza. what are the israeli - authorities are saying about this one case? indie authorities are saying about this one case? ~ ., ., one case? we went to them with a secific one case? we went to them with a specific request. _ one case? we went to them with a specific request. we _ one case? we went to them with a specific request. we told - one case? we went to them with a specific request. we told them - one case? we went to them with a l specific request. we told them what the family has been saying, which is

that relatives say there is a five—storey building was brought down by an israeli air strike. we were able to tell them the area, point out a local landmark, a mosque which had been destroyed, which was well known. we were able to give them a specific date, the 2nd of december, at the time which was six again. initially, the army said they were checking and then said they would not be able to give a more specific response without the exact coordinates for that building. which is no longer standing. i think critics might ask why the army is not in a position to say if it had or had not got war planes operating in that area on that day, at that time, carrying out air strikes in that area. it would seem as if that is information that should be available. it is also the case that, over the course of the war, when we

have gone to the army with very specific and detailed information and asked for a comment, we often received only a general response. in general, the army emphasises that it tries to minimise civilian casualties in gaza. finally, what can ou casualties in gaza. finally, what can you tell— casualties in gaza. finally, what can you tell us _ casualties in gaza. finally, what can you tell us about _ casualties in gaza. finally, what can you tell us about how- casualties in gaza. finally, what can you tell us about how alma | casualties in gaza. finally, what. can you tell us about how alma is now and where she is? this can you tell us about how alma is now and where she is?— can you tell us about how alma is now and where she is? as you will have seen — now and where she is? as you will have seen from _ now and where she is? as you will have seen from our— now and where she is? as you will have seen from our story, - now and where she is? as you will have seen from our story, she - now and where she is? as you will have seen from our story, she is l now and where she is? as you will have seen from our story, she is a remarkable girl, she is incredibly strong, incredibly bright, incredibly articulate. she is being looked after as much as possible, being cared for by her aunt and uncle. she is with them and their extended family. but she is trapped in a tent in rafah. let's not forget that the israeli army is continuing to threaten that it will carry out a massive ground assault on rafah, even though the united states and others are urging it not to do that. as recently as yesterday, officials

have said it will go ahead. we do know that ten won is aware of her danger. her dearest wish is to leave gaza and get to safety abroad, but for her, as with other palestinians, that looks impossible.— that looks impossible. thank you very much- _ america's top diplomat, antony blinken, has been meeting israel's prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, for talks on a plan to govern and secure gaza after the war — while pushing for more aid, and protection of civilians. mr blinken will warn israel not to carry out its plans for a ground invasion of gaza's southernmost city, rafah, where more than a million palestinians are sheltering. the un security council will vote later on a draft resolution proposed by the us, which ties an immediate ceasefire in gaza to the relese of hostages held by hamas. let's talk to our middle east correspondent, yolande knell, about the diplomatic efforts taking place today. tell us the latest. all we have

really seen — tell us the latest. all we have really seen is _ tell us the latest. all we have really seen is the _ tell us the latest. all we have really seen is the us - tell us the latest. all we have| really seen is the us secretary tell us the latest. all we have i really seen is the us secretary of state shaking hands with the israeli prime minister, going into a meeting. we expect him to meet israel's war cabinet as well. from the footage we saw, you could see that relations are quite tense at the moment between these two important allies. we expect mr anthony bilic into talk about this offensive in rafah. he says they should be alternative options. the real fear is that you have more than half of the population of gaza now in the very bottom of the gaza strip, close to the border with egypt, in that rafah area, mostly displaced by the fighting and already conditions there are desperate. mr rafah will also talk about the need for a big surge in aid going into gaza, with this threat of a man—made famine. people

also talk about the ongoing ceasefire and hostage negotiations taking place on a separate track in via mediators. that is important as well. ., ~ via mediators. that is important as well. . ,, , ., around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

police in west yorkshire have opened an investigation into whether one of the conservative party's biggest donors committed a crime when he allegedly made racist comments about britain's longest—serving black mp, diane abbott. frank hester reportedly said diane abbott made him "want to hate all black women". earlier, the prime minister was asked about those comments. well, obviously, it wouldn't be right for me to comment on police matters, but as i have said previously, what he said was wrong and racist and he, rightfully, has apologised for it. let's speak to our political

correspondent, helen catt. what more do we know about this police investigation? a statement issued this morning by west yorkshire police said they were investigating comments made by frank esther. the police did not name him, what they said in their statement was they were investigating what they described as racist comments which were allegedly made at a meeting in leeds in 2019. it is a location of the meeting which is white west yorkshire is investigating, it comes after an initial complaint was made to the metropolitan police's parliamentary and investigation team, but because it took place in leeds, that is why they are investigating. the officers were working to establish the and ultimately ascertain whether a crime has been committed. the statement also went on to say it recognised the strong reaction to these allegations and appreciated everyone who contacted them since the initial article in the guardian, which is where the comments were first

reported, was published. i5 where the comments were first reported, was published. is it clear at this stage _ reported, was published. is it clear at this stage what _ reported, was published. is it clear at this stage what potential - reported, was published. is it clear at this stage what potential crimes | at this stage what potential crimes the police might be looking at? it isn't. all we have is that statement from west yorkshire police, which talks about them investigating racist comments. they are talking about them ascertaining whether a crime has been committed or not. we don't have any more indication of what they might be looking at. this has been very _ what they might be looking at. this has been very politically difficult for the conservatives, we are in an election year, mr hester donated a lot of money. he election year, mr hester donated a lot of money-— lot of money. he donated £10 million, lot of money. he donated £10 million. he — lot of money. he donated £10 million, he is _ lot of money. he donated £10 million, he is one _ lot of money. he donated £10 million, he is one of- lot of money. he donated £10 million, he is one of the - million, he is one of the conservatives' biggest donors. he has admitted that he made rude remarks about diane abbott, but he has said they had nothing to do with her gender or the colour of her skin. he has apologised for the rudeness. when these remarks were first reported, it did dominate the

news agenda in westminster for the best part of the week. the conservatives came under pressure to hand back those donations, which they have pretty much so far resisted. they might have been forgiven for thinking that things had started to die down, but what we have seen this morning is that the opening of a police investigation means that once again you have the prime minister, who has been trying to launch the conservative local election campaign, but what he has been asked about our donations from frank hester. been asked about our donations from frank hester-— frank hester. thank you very much indeed. russia has attacked ukraine's power infrastructure with drones and missiles leaving around a million people without power and at least five people dead. ukraine's state hydropower company said a russian strike hit ukraine's largest dam in zaporizhzhia, but that there was no risk of a breach. russia says the air strikes were to avenge ukrainian attacks on russian territory. let's speak to our eastern europe correspondent, sarah rainsford, who is in kyiv for us.

just tell us more about these targeted strikes, sarah. this just tell us more about these targeted strikes, sarah. this was a massive attack _ targeted strikes, sarah. this was a massive attack overnight _ targeted strikes, sarah. this was a massive attack overnight by - targeted strikes, sarah. this was a | massive attack overnight by russia. it is the biggest that we have had here for quite some time, a combination of missiles and drones fired by russia. they say they were targeting the energy info structure here, and certainly there were a number of hits on power facilities, power plants across the country. the missiles and drones were fired right across ukraine, north, south, east and west, cities across this country were targeted. we know the second city in the north of the country has been left almost without power. even the air raid systems that are not working because of the power outage and people are being told they will get notification of further missile attacks on their phones. traffic lights are down, water is disrupted. it is the same in other countries across ukraine. we know the

zaporizhzhia power plant, that was also hit by several missiles. we have been told by officials here that there is no danger, that the dam itself or be breached, but this is a worrying attack for ukraine. civilian infrastructure here has been targeted all throughout this war. in the first winter, it was one of the calling cards of russia, they had power plant time and time again at the most recent time of year here. it is slightly warmer now, but these attacks are absolutely devastating for ukraine. thank you ve much devastating for ukraine. thank you very much indeed. _ let's talk now about universities, specifically about the money owed by students in the uk once they have finished their studies. according to figures from the student loan company, a student from one university owes more than £230,000 in student loan debt — more than five times the average. the freedom of information request made by the bbc has revealed that another

student has accrued nearly £55,000 in interest alone. the data has also shown that the largest repayment a graduate has made tops £110,000. let's speak tojunior doctor luke amos. he has a student debt of £103,000. thank you forjoining us, luke. how have you managed to get to that level of debt, and how do you feel about it? i personally first studied a biomedical science degree at the university of liverpool, followed by a graduate entry medical degree based in london. seven years at university, and £103,000 worth of student loan debt. a lot of that in interest, essentially. d0 student loan debt. a lot of that in interest, essentially.— student loan debt. a lot of that in interest, essentially. do you know how much an _ interest, essentially. do you know how much an interest? _ interest, essentially. do you know how much an interest? i _ interest, essentially. do you know how much an interest? i can't - how much an interest? i can't remember — how much an interest? i can't remember the _ how much an interest? i can't remember the figure - how much an interest? i can't remember the figure of - how much an interest? i can't remember the figure of the l how much an interest? i can't i remember the figure of the top how much an interest? i can't - remember the figure of the top of my head, i know that in the last tax year alone, at least £5,000. so quite a lot. year alone, at least £5,000. so quite a lot-— year alone, at least £5,000. so uuitealot.�* quite a lot. are you repaying some ofthat

quite a lot. are you repaying some of that now? _ quite a lot. are you repaying some of that now? only _ quite a lot. are you repaying some of that now? only in _ quite a lot. are you repaying some of that now? only in very - quite a lot. are you repaying some of that now? only in very small- of that now? only in very small amounts- _ of that now? only in very small amounts. obviously, _ of that now? only in very small amounts. obviously, the - of that now? only in very smallj amounts. obviously, the actual repayments only occur over a threshold, taken out of your paycheque every month. against that 5000, i've only paid about 1000. how is it affecting — 5000, i've only paid about 1000. how is it affecting you? is it fair enough because, at the end of the day, you are in a good job with a reasonable salary, you will be in a position to hopefully pay off that debt. ., , position to hopefully pay off that debt. . , , ., ~ ., , debt. that is the stark reality. i won't be in _ debt. that is the stark reality. i won't be in a — debt. that is the stark reality. i won't be in a position _ debt. that is the stark reality. i won't be in a position to - debt. that is the stark reality. i won't be in a position to pay . debt. that is the stark reality. i won't be in a position to pay off that debt in the 30 year period that the repayments will last. i will probably pay off around £250,000, which is above what i actually borrowed. so it isjust which is above what i actually borrowed. so it is just incredible, really. borrowed. so it is 'ust incredible, reall. ., really. can you explain those numbers _ really. can you explain those numbers for— really. can you explain those numbers for us. _ really. can you explain those numbers for us. how - really. can you explain those numbers for us. how do - really. can you explain those numbers for us. how do you | really. can you explain those i numbers for us. how do you get really. can you explain those - numbers for us. how do you get to £250,000?— numbers for us. how do you get to £250,000? , g, a, , £250,000? they are quite rudimentary calculations done _ £250,000? they are quite rudimentary calculations done using _ £250,000? they are quite rudimentary calculations done using quite _ £250,000? they are quite rudimentary calculations done using quite simple i calculations done using quite simple software, but over time, as i earn more and more money, the repayments

will go up, but so the interestjust keeps amassing and the repayments just don't touch it. fahd keeps amassing and the repayments just don't touch it.— just don't touch it. and you don't think ou just don't touch it. and you don't think you can _ just don't touch it. and you don't think you can pay _ just don't touch it. and you don't think you can pay it _ just don't touch it. and you don't think you can pay it back- just don't touch it. and you don't think you can pay it back faster l think you can pay it back faster than that, even on a consultant salary? t than that, even on a consultant sala ? ., �* ~' than that, even on a consultant sala ? ., �* ~ ., than that, even on a consultant sala ? ., ,, salary? i don't think so, no, unless i have massive _ salary? i don't think so, no, unless i have massive family _ salary? i don't think so, no, unless i have massive family wealth, - salary? i don't think so, no, unless| i have massive family wealth, which unfortunately i don't. haifa i have massive family wealth, which unfortunately i don't.— unfortunately i don't. how do you feel about — unfortunately i don't. how do you feel about it? _ unfortunately i don't. how do you feel about it? are _ unfortunately i don't. how do you feel about it? are you _ unfortunately i don't. how do you feel about it? are you glad - unfortunately i don't. how do you feel about it? are you glad you i unfortunately i don't. how do you i feel about it? are you glad you have done this course? you will hopefully going to have a fantasticjob which will be of value to the public. i’m will be of value to the public. i'm in a will be of value to the public. u�*rn in a privileged position, both with my career, and financially i should be ok, it isjust my career, and financially i should be ok, it is just difficult knowing that, in many situations, the finances just don't add up. generations before me paid either zero tuition fees, £1000 per year, and then every few years, the government changes the goalposts. now the loan last 40 years rather

than 30, it is not like they want —— it is like they don't want people going to university. part it is like they don't want people going to university.— going to university. part of the argument _ going to university. part of the argument is — going to university. part of the argument is that _ going to university. part of the argument is that otherwise i going to university. part of the| argument is that otherwise the taxpayer is funding students, and that often it is seen as a subsidy for middle—class, middle earning people who are going to have the benefit of the university education. why should the taxpayer fund that rather than the people benefiting from it? n, rather than the people benefiting from it? ~ , .,, ., rather than the people benefiting from it? , ., ., ., from it? most people that go to university will _ from it? most people that go to university will contribute - from it? most people that go to | university will contribute through general taxation more than those people who don't, by basic economics. ih people who don't, by basic economics.— people who don't, by basic economics. in terms of your day-to-day _ economics. in terms of your day-to-day budgeting - economics. in terms of your day-to-day budgeting and l economics. in terms of your- day-to-day budgeting and projecting day—to—day budgeting and projecting ahead, you presumably don't feel that there is any more you could

repay faster version like it is not a question of you spending on luxuries? hf a question of you spending on luxuries? ., ., ., , ., luxuries? if the total outstanding amount was _ luxuries? if the total outstanding amount was lower, _ luxuries? if the total outstanding amount was lower, i _ luxuries? if the total outstanding amount was lower, i could - luxuries? if the total outstanding amount was lower, i could think| amount was lower, i could think about chipping away at it and paying off faster than the 30 years that it lasts. but the amount of money is so staggering back in terms of your fellow students, how much to people find it difficult at the moment? full students, it is less of a talking point because we are in the same boat. it is quite often a talking point with friends and family and you are pointing out the numbers and how difficult it isn't how different it was for them when they went to university. 50 how different it was for them when they went to university.— they went to university. so low interest rates _ they went to university. so low interest rates would _ they went to university. so low interest rates would be - they went to university. so low interest rates would be one i they went to university. so low| interest rates would be one way they went to university. so low i interest rates would be one way that it would be helpfulfor you, personally coach in mike yes, and

better funding personally coach in mike yes, and betterfunding while we personally coach in mike yes, and better funding while we are at university. very good luck with your studies and your future career. thank you forjoining us. stay with us here on bbc news. hello. we've got a fairly unsettled spell of spring weather over the next couple of days, low pressure to the north of the uk. and that's going to be bringing us a story of some sunny spells out there today, but also some heavy showery downpours. it's feeling colder than recent days and pretty windy as well. so we've got that colder air mass working its way slowly further south, low pressure sitting to the north of the uk. so this weather front has brought some rain. we're going to see it slowly clearing away from the south coast into the afternoon hours and then we're all going to be in the clearer skies. but it is going to be windy, especially across parts of scotland, and we'll see some showers driving in. this is three o'clock

in the afternoon, some showers across parts of wales, north—west england. fewer i think further east across england, but temperatures ten to 12 degrees so certainly significantly cooler than recent days. the showers will be more frequent this afternoon across parts of northern ireland and scotland where they're a little bit wintry over the highest ground. i think fewer reaching the likes of aberdeenshire. but into this evening and tonight, we've still got these brisk winds, gusts about 60 miles per hour in the north, driving more frequent showers in from the north—west. fewer showers again for parts of southern and eastern england, but you could catch one almost anywhere through the night. and it'll be colder than recent nights with temperatures between about two to four degrees in our towns and cities, but a touch colder in the more rural spots. so heading on into the weekend, then, low pressure starts to move its way towards the east as we head through the second half of the weekend. that will mean the weather will start to improve. but for saturday, plenty of those showers rattling through on those brisk north—westerly winds. again, gales in the far north—west. some of the showers a little bit wintry over the higher ground of scotland. and there could be some hail and some thunderstorms mixed in as well. some sunshine in between the showers, but only

nine or ten degrees. it's not going to feel particularly warm, especially where you're exposed to the brisk winds. now into sunday, that's when we see things quieting down a little bit. still some brisk winds bringing a few showers in the north and the east first thing, some rain approaching from the west later on in the day, too. but actually, in between, not too bad. some sunny spells around and temperatures probably a degree or two warmer compared to saturday. looking ahead into next week, though, low pressure stays fairly close to the uk. we've got one area clearing away towards the south—east, another approaching from the atlantic. so i think it's not going to be a complete washout into next week. there will be some dry air and some brighter weather, but some showers around. those temperatures a little bit warmer later in the week.

this is bbc news. the headlines: a further push for a gaza ceasefire deal — america's top diplomat, antony blinken, meets israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu. police launch an investigation into tory party donor frank hester, who is embroiled in a race row. red, white. ..or multicoloured? does the colour of the cross of st george matter? nike thinks not. we report on the controversy. prime minister rishi sunak says "don't mess" with the flag on england football kit, following labour leader sir keir starmer�*s call for nike

to change the colour of the st george's cross on its new shirt back to the traditional red. the design features purple and blue horizontal stripes, in what nike called a "playful update". the us firm said the colours were inspired by the training kit worn by england's 1966 world cup winners. mr starmer said the flag was a unifier and the firm should reconsider its decision to modify it. a little earlier, mr sunak has this to say on the england shirt. look, obviously i prefer the original, and my general view is, when it comes to our national flags, we shouldn't mess with them because they are a source of pride, identity, who we are, and they are perfect as they are. let's speak to our correspondent ben woolvin, who is outside wembley for us now. do you have one of these shirts? 0h, we will see if we can go