repeats his position mm repeats his position m repeats his position that the eneral _ repeats his position that the general election - _ repeats his position that the general election will i _ repeats his position i that the general election will be _ repeats his position i that the general election will be in the second half of the year as speculation runs rife, but he could call it as soon as this week. a rare standing ovation in the house of commons for craig mackinlay, the mp who lost his hands and feet to sepsis. and uncapped 18—year—old ben doak is a shock inclusion in steve clarke's provisional scotland squad for the euros. and coming up on bbc news... we hear from we hearfrom one of we hear from one of great britain's best chances of topping the podium at the olympics, kealy hodgson. good afternoon. the former boss of the post office, paula vennells, has told the post office inquiry that she is sorry

for the miscarriage ofjustice of sub—postmasters and she broke down in tears under questioning. the horizon it software wrongly said money was missing from branch accounts and more than 900 sub—postmasters were convicted. ms vennells was chief executive from 2012 to 2019 and today started giving evidence to the inquiry. among the questions to answer: what did she know about the ability of others to remotely access the accounts? for years the post office denied this was possible. the inquiry�*s seen a transcript of a call with a senior lawyer in 2013 which suggests that paula vennells had been briefed about a "covert operations team". also, did she mislead mps in 2015 when she appeared in front of a committee on the issue. and should she have done more to get to the bottom of it? our business correspondent theo leggett has been listening to her evidence so far. his report contains flash photography from the start. any word before you go

in ms vennells. at the heart of a bitter scandal. and today, at the centre of a media scrum. paula vennells arrived at the inquiry early, but the cameras were already waiting, as were the former subpostmasters. i just hope that she answers everything. i'm really looking forward to it, i hope she has the strength tojust tell the truth, tell it like it is. she started with a lengthy apology. ..the opportunity to do this in person and how sorry i am for all that subpostmasters and theirfamilies and others have suffered as a result of all of the matters that the inquiry has been looking into for so long. early questions focused on what paula vennells claims she didn't know about flaws and bugs in the horizon it system, an unreliable expert witness and crucial advice given by lawyers. do you think you're the unluckiest ceo in the united kingdom? i was given much information and, as the inquiry has heard,

there was information that i wasn't given and others didn't receive as well. one of my reflections on all of this is that i was too trusting. she was asked about this recent text exchange with the former head of the royal mail, moya greene, who said, "i think you knew," and then, "how could you not have known?" i think moya was possibly suggesting there that there was some conspiracy, as you as you mentioned earlier, and as i said, i didn't believe that was the case. then questions on whether she'd misled mps about court cases involving horizon. why were you telling these parliamentarians that every prosecution involving the horizon system had been successful and had found in favour of the post office?

i fully accept now... ..that the post office... excuse me. the post office knew that i completely accepted. personally, i didn't know that and i'm incredibly sorry that that happened to those people and to so many others. those tears were followed by others as the hearing continued. try and compose yourself if you can and then continue. paula vennells is due to testify for two more days this week, so further tough and uncomfortable questions lie ahead. theo leggett, bbc news. our business correspondent andy verityjoins us from the inquiry. what stands out to you from this morning, andy? good afternoon. it is just this general denial that actually she

didn't see the key evidence at key points which would have warned her that the procedure of prosecuting sub postmaster is based on the horizon system was a very flawed procedure. and there was an attempt to deflect the blame on the lawyers. there were some emotional moments as we saw there in the report, the mood was generally sombre, the move was even laughter at one point when so when williams said he had drops of water on top of him. but the most serious thing was to do with her denial that at any point, key points, that she had known about the bugs in horizon. she denied knowing that an expert witness, gareth jenkins, knew about bugs in horizon and should have disclosed it. generally she said she didn't know about issues with remote access until 2015. this was all cast doubt on by jason until 2015. this was all cast doubt on byjason beare, who said not only must you be the most unluckiest ceo for not knowing so little, but also whether there was a strategy to the not knowing and she is trying to

deflect the blame on others. paula vennells was emotional and apologised to the families of the sub masters and their families, apologised to the families of the sub masters and theirfamilies, but they are not necessarily convinced. inflation is today at its lowest level in almost three years. the prime minister said it marks a major moment for the uk economy as rises fell to 2.3% in the year to april. inflation leapt to just over 11% in october 2022, its highest rate in a0 years off the back of energy and food price rises following russia's invasion of ukraine. today's figures mean inflation is just above the bank of england's target of 2%, with interest rates expected to be cut later this year. however, prices are still rising, just at a slower rate as our business correspondent ben king explains. the recipes haven't changed in 90 years at this traditional bakery in west sussex, but the cost of their ingredients has. flour prices, meat prices, energy prices, all up.

that's put the squeeze on profits, but the end is in sight. prices aren't continuing to increase that much. they're definitely not coming down. that doesn't happen very often, but it does seem to feel like things are plateauing a little bit, and i'm really hoping to see that the pressure is eased a little bit and in the next few months we can start passing it on to our customer and our employees as well, which is going to be brilliant for everyone. a big cut in the energy price cap meant household bills were down more than a quarter since last april, helping to bring the overall inflation number down. food prices also rose less quickly. i think it's peaked now, i don't find it's gone up any more, but it's increased by about 50% over the last year or two. everywhere i go, even if i pop in- and have a coffee, it's, "how much?" i've changed some of my habits, so i don't buy something that's gone up so much, i change it to something else, and i can still manage on my small pension. after nearly three years of high inflation, it's now within sight

of the bank of england's target of 2%. inflation is back to normal, and that is an important moment for our country, for the economy and shows that our plan is working. now, whilst i know people are only just starting to feel the benefits, and there is more work to do, i hope this gives people confidence that if we stick to the plan, there are brighter days ahead. overall, the figures are higher than what we in the market i were hoping for this morning. so now is not the time for any- victory lap from the conservatives. more work needs to be done. the bank of england will be watching closely when deciding whether to cut interest rates this summer, particularly inflation in services such as mobile phones or car insurance, which remained stubbornly high. that's the part of inflation where the bank's action could have had the biggest impact in bringing down inflation. so perhaps it is a sign that interest rates won't be brought down as quickly as might have been the case otherwise. the fight isn't completely won yet, and businesses and their customers still face much higher prices

than they did three years ago. but, for now, at least, the days of soaring inflation have come to an end. ben king, bbc news. meanwhile, the prime minister has repeated that there will be a general election in the second half of this year as speculation has mounted in westminster today that an election could come sooner than expected. our chief political correspondent henry zeffman is in central lobby for us now. that speculation is really mounting and i heard chris mason, our political editor, say earlier that it feels different this time. what it feels different this time. what is our it feels different this time. what is your take? — it feels different this time. what is your take? to _ it feels different this time. what is your take? to be _ it feels different this time. what is your take? to be honest, - it feels different this time. what is your take? to be honest, i - it feels different this time. wuat is your take? to be honest, i don't know and i am in good company because cabinet ministers don't know what is going on, junior ministers don't know what is going on and keir starmer doesn't know what is going on. you get the idea, but the speculation in westminster this morning, even by the standards of a place that runs on gossip, has been

pretty electrifying. at prime minister's questions, stephen flynn, the snp leader in westminster, asked the snp leader in westminster, asked the question on everyone's plasma lips. mr speaker, speculation is rife, so i think the public deserve a clear answer to a simple question. does the prime minister intend to call a summer general election, or is he feart? mr speaker, as i have said repeatedly to him... - there is, mr speaker, spoileralert, there is going to be a general- l election in the second half of this i year, and at that moment the british people will in fact see the truth. about the honourable gentleman opposite me, because that will be the choice at the next _ election, mr speaker. rishi sunak has been using that line about the second half of the year right back since january and most people assume that meant october, november, even december. but of coursejuly, which begins in a0

days, is the second half of the year. and the deliberate decision from rishi sunak not to scotch the rumours is very striking. cabinet ministers have been summoned for a meeting at downing street this afternoon and i think we will find out after that. the afternoon and i think we will find out after that.— afternoon and i think we will find out after that. the speculation will continue. henry, _ out after that. the speculation will continue. henry, thank _ out after that. the speculation will continue. henry, thank you - out after that. the speculation will continue. henry, thank you so - out after that. the speculation will. continue. henry, thank you so much. more than 1a0 people who were onboard a flight hit by severe turbulence have landed in singapore on a relief flight. passengers recounted scenes of "absolute terror", on the flight yesterday from london to singapore which had to divert to bangkok. a 73—year—old british man, geoff kitchen, died from a suspected heart attack onboard, while 20 people remain in intensive care. phil mackie is in bristol where mr kitchen lived. there have been so many lovely tributes paid today, it sounded like he was a very special man. yes. tributes paid today, it sounded like he was a very special man. yes, this is thornbury — he was a very special man. yes, this is thornbury and _ he was a very special man. yes, this is thornbury and south _ is thornbury and south gloucestershire just outside the

theatre where he was a stalwart of theatre where he was a stalwart of the musical theatre group, a member of that for a very long time. a lot of that for a very long time. a lot of people who knew him seemed to like him and said he was very witty and very funny man and he was very popular and the thornbury musical theatre group said it is with a heavy heart that they learned of the devastating news and on their facebook pages daughter had said, love you, dad. of his neighbours and good friend saw them off for the holiday at the weekend, they were on their way to australia, and said they were a very special couple. we also heard from another neighbour, valerie murray. somebody's here one minute, and then... and that particular sort of thing to happen, you don't imagine, do you, when you set forth on a holiday? and that sort of thing to happen is, you know, everyone is in a state of shock, i think. so flight s so flight 5 o so flight s q 321 had 211 passengers

on it and 18 crew. the pictures that were shared by some of the pictures on board of the aftermath of what happened really showed just how devastating that 6000 foot sudden drop caused by turbulence had been the other night. we know that 10a people were treated and 58 of them remain in hospital, including 15 britons, and the 20 most seriously hurt are still in icu, including six britons, and we understand mr kitchen's children in thornbury are probably planning, we expect, to go out to travel to see their mother linda who are still in hospital. the metropolitan police and crown prosecution service say the earliest that they can bring charges over the grenfell tower fire will be 2026. they cited the "increasing scale and complexity" of the inquiry as the reason for the delay. tom symonds is at scotland yard. tom, can you tell us more?

well, the grenfell tower case is becoming like the infected blood scandal or the post office candle, a very, very long wait forjustice for those who lost relatives or survived the fire. even the police today called it incredible. the reason is that they, the police, have a legal duty to consider the findings of the grenfell tower public inquiry which will not report finally until probably the summer or the autumn. then when the police do that, they will have to take 18 months to consider that very detailed report. the crown prosecution service will need another year to consider whether charges are justified, which takes us to 2027, pretty much ten years after the fire. the reason is the complexity of the case and the police have a warehouse which is full of 27,000 items, pieces of grenfell tower, which largely were not burned in the fire and which have been closely examined as

evidence, possible exhibits and criminal prosecutions. they are looking at 19 different companies and organisations involved and in the disastrous refurbishment of the tower and 58 individuals are still under investigation. as for possible charges, they range from breaches of health and safety or building regulations, right up to corporate manslaughter, a very serious charge which can be levelled against companies. there was one other possible charge mentioned today, misconduct in public office, which does suggest the police are considering whether the council or the central government, politicians or officers or officials, were in some way criminally to blame for what happened on during the 1a back then in 2018. that is the current situation as far as the met see it. wylfa on anglesey in wales has been chosen as the preferred site for a large—scale nuclear power plant which the uk government say will bring thousands ofjobs to the area. wylfa's previous power station

stopped generating energy in 2015. international energy companies have begun talks with the government to start building the new plant. junior doctors across northern ireland have walked out beginning a two—day strike over pay. the department of health has warned that services will be affected during the strike and in subsequent days. further strikes are also be planned forjune after pay talks broke down. norway, ireland and spain are to recognise palestine as an independent state. it's a move condemned by israel as a reward for terrorism. our diplomatic correspondent james landalejoins me now. james, most of the world already recognises palestine as a state, what's the significance of these three countries choosing now to do it? will it make a difference on the ground? it will it make a difference on the round? , , . , , . ground? it is unusual because a minority of— ground? it is unusual because a minority of european _ ground? it is unusual because a minority of european countries, j minority of european countries, around nine recognise it and most did it back in the times when they

were part of the soviet bloc. for the irish and spanish and norwegians are hoping for is to shift the diplomatic dial. because there is no progress towards a ceasefire and the release of hostages at the moment they think if there is some kind of political process you may inject some dynamism and momentum to the system. they also want to encourage other european countries to join in. palestinian leaders of course have welcomed this as have hamas saying it is a response to what they call the resistance. not surprisingly israel absolutely furious with their foreign minister saying the decision undermines the sovereignty and security of israel and he has recalled ambassadors from those three countries for consultations. the interesting question now is what do other countries do? other countries say we are ready and willing to recognise palestine but only part of a long—term political solution to the whole conflict and the question is when you play that

card. most european countries think these three countries have gone a bit early but they are thinking about when they do it but it will be sometime in the future. the time is 13:18. our top story this afternoon. ex—post office boss paula vennells cries in the inquiry into the horizon scandal and admits that she lied to mp�*s. i'm that she lied to mp�*s. in worcestershire to report c how i'm in worcestershire to report on how climate change is making britain wetter as well as warm. coming up on bbc news... mauricio pochettino leaves chelsea afterjust one season in charge. kieran mckenna of ipswich, sporting's ruben amorim and burnley boss vincent kompany are among the favourites to replace him. now, to the remarkable story of conservative mp craig mackinlay who has returned to the house of commons for the first time

after suffering a life—threatening episode of sepsis which led to the amputation of his hands and feet. the south thanet mp woke up from an induced coma to find his limbs had turned completely black. our political correspondent helen catt reports. cheering and applause. clapping isn't usually allowed in the commons... but the speaker made an exception for this moment. craig mckinley returning after a life changing 18 months. it is an inspiration _ life changing 18 months. it is an inspiration for _ life changing 18 months. it is an inspiration for the _ life changing 18 months. it is an inspiration for the people - life changing 18 months. it is an inspiration for the people in - life changing 18 months. it is an j inspiration for the people in this country who have suffered from sepsis. country who have suffered from se sis. ~ , country who have suffered from sesis. ~ , . sepsis. the prime minister also paid tribute. no one _ sepsis. the prime minister also paid tribute. no one who _ sepsis. the prime minister also paid tribute. no one who watched - sepsis. the prime minister also paid tribute. no one who watched the - tribute. no one who watched the interview last _ tribute. no one who watched the interview last night _ tribute. no one who watched the interview last night could - tribute. no one who watched the interview last night could have . interview last night could have failed — interview last night could have failed to— interview last night could have failed to be in awe of his incredible resilience. and so did the leader— incredible resilience. and so did the leader of _ incredible resilience. and so did the leader of the _ incredible resilience. and so did the leader of the opposition. . the leader of the opposition. politics is about service and

resuming _ politics is about service and resuming your— politics is about service and resuming your duties - politics is about service and resuming your duties as - politics is about service and resuming your duties as an| politics is about service and i resuming your duties as an mp and being— resuming your duties as an mp and being here— resuming your duties as an mp and being here today— resuming your duties as an mp and being here today shows _ resuming your duties as an mp and being here today shows as - resuming your duties as an mp and being here today shows as it - resuming your duties as an mp and being here today shows as it is - resuming your duties as an mp and being here today shows as it is an. being here today shows as it is an example — being here today shows as it is an example for— being here today shows as it is an example for all— being here today shows as it is an example for all of— being here today shows as it is an example for all of us _ being here today shows as it is an example for all of us of— being here today shows as it is an example for all of us of your - being here today shows as it is anj example for all of us of your deep sense _ example for all of us of your deep sense of— example for all of us of your deep sense of service _ example for all of us of your deep sense of service and _ example for all of us of your deep sense of service and we _ example for all of us of your deep sense of service and we thank - example for all of us of your deepj sense of service and we thank you for it _ sense of service and we thank you for it and — sense of service and we thank you for it and as _ sense of service and we thank you for it. and as pm _ sense of service and we thank you for it. and as pm cues _ sense of service and we thank you for it. and as pm cues came - sense of service and we thank you for it. and as pm cues came to . sense of service and we thank you for it. and as pm cues came to an| for it. and as pm cues came to an endm _ for it. and as pm cues came to an end... . ~' ,, ~ for it. and as pm cues came to an end... . ~ , end... thank you, mr speaker. this is an emotional _ end... thank you, mr speaker. this is an emotional day _ end... thank you, mr speaker. this is an emotional day for _ end... thank you, mr speaker. this is an emotional day for me - end... thank you, mr speaker. this is an emotional day for me and - end... thank you, mr speaker. this is an emotional day for me and if. is an emotional day for me and if you could indulge me to say a few tanks because a few are due. and of course one of those, well an apology actually because i have caused the breaking of so many rules today, clapping! i've got trainers on because my shoes would not go over the plastic feet and myjacket because my shoes would not go over the plastic feet and my jacket would not go over the biannic arm. so apologies for that and thank you for being there for me, mr speaker and i will tell everyone a story, the rest of the hospital thought i must be

dreadfully ill because they said that guy has got the funeral director in already! you have cared for me throughout and i thank you and the prime minister. he has been with me throughout. he has not advertised it, he has been to see me multiple times. and to me that shows the true depth of the character of the true depth of the character of the prime minister and i thank him for that. and to my wife was in the chamber, my daughter and other family members, my father and father—in—law, my wife for being there every single day of those many months in hospital. she could only do that because of the support of family behind her. an extraordinary prime minister's questions to mark extraordinary return. a year—long investigation has found that more than a thousand forced workers may have died from ill—treatment during germany's occupation of alderney in the channel islands in world war two. it was previously thought that just under a00 had died. our reporter robert

hall is there for us. this is an important day for alderney because it brings clarity and the islanders watching the press conference to announce these findings say they are very relieved because it draws a line and that was the intention of the 11 strong panel of experts from the uk and europe, they have a huge amount of data and were able to compare the data they had with that from the second world war and come up with what they say is a definitive figure. they also looked at why, given the terrible things that happened here, no one of very few people were actually prosecuted and that as you're about to hear led to an attack on the britishjudicial to hear led to an attack on the british judicial system of the time from the man who set up the enquiry. well over 7,000 prisoners from 27 countries were shipped to alderney during five years of german occupation. the regime was inhumane. the prisoners were there to work. if they faltered through starvation or exhaustion, they were beaten or killed. as a small child, i used to go

to alderney with my father. he witnessed the execution of a young soviet boy for changing cement bags on his feet. he was shot at point blank range, by an ss guard, and he also witnessed a hanging. i believe it was in sylt camp. they would be brought to the burial site, more often than not be buried using the false bottomed coffin, which could then be reused, obviously, for succeeding burials. after alderney�*s liberation, thousands of former prisoners and german soldiers were interviewed as part of an investigation into what had happened here. that report went to british intelligence and the british government, but it was eventually passed to the former soviet union, because most victims were its citizens. few of those listed as war criminals ever came to trial. islanders watching today's revelations heard that the alderney report

was actually handed over as part of a prisoner swap in order to try those responsible for shooting british officers after the great escape. it is a stain on the reputation of the united kingdom that the perpetrators did not receive justice on british soil by a britishjudicial system. i'm sorry that many of the perpetrators died peacefully in their beds. this community has never forgotten its past. now islanders must consider how to mark a reshaped chapter of their wartime history. robert hall, bbc news, alderney. a former royal marine charged with assisting the hong kong intelligence service has been found dead in a park in maidenhead. 37—year—old matthew trickett, who was a home office immigration officer, appeared in court last week, charged under the national security act. his death is being treated as unexplained. police in los angeles have begun a criminal investigation into how the friends actor, matthew perry, was able to obtain the prescription medicines

which he was taking at the time of his death last october. a post mortem showed levels of ketamine in his body, after he was found in a hot tub at his home in west la. scotland manager steve clarke has announced the provisional squad he will take to the euros in germany this summer. they take on the hosts in the opening match in munich on the 1ath ofjune. our sports correspondent jane lewis joins us now from hampden. and one surprise announcement? yes, not much surprising _ and one surprise announcement? use: not much surprising about the squad but three players in their whose names stand out. he has named a provisional squad of 28 players slimmed down to 26 just before the tournament gets underway. for scotland play germany in the opening game. but one player is 18—year—old ben doak from game. but one player is 18—year—old ben doakfrom liverpool who has made the squad, he has not played a lot

of football as he is recovering from a knee injury. he is back in training and scotland manager steve clarke says he excited to see what he can bring training. it is his first time in the squad so a massive day for that 18—year—old. also named another uncapped player ross mcrorie who has been in the scotland squad before but not capped. and crucially for him ross mcrorie has been played at right wingback for bristol city and that is the area that the scotland squad are struggling with thanks to injury to nathan patterson and alan hickey who normally would be first choice in that position. also a word forjames forrester of celtic who is very experienced. he has not pulled on a scotland shirt since 2021 when he was in the squad for the last euros. a brilliant end to the season for celtic for him and that has caught the attention of steve clarke and he is potentially heading to germany. of course to

unlucky players will be cut from the squad just before the tournament gets under way with steve clarke having to make that decision. but the message from the scotland manager today was he was glad to get the squad out there, something to get off his chest and very much looking forward to these european championships in germany. and looking forward to these european championships in germany. and the o enin championships in germany. and the opening matches — championships in germany. and the opening matches on _ championships in germany. and the opening matches on the _ championships in germany. and the opening matches on the 14th - championships in germany. and the opening matches on the 14th of - championships in germany. and the l opening matches on the 14th ofjune. rainfall in the uk over the last few months was 20% heavier because of human—produced greenhouse gasses acording to scientists at the world weather attribution group. and, as you can see in our satelite images here, there is more heavy rain expected today, with flood warnings issued for many parts of the country. our climate editor, justin rowlatt, is in worcestershire to tell us more. we all know how much it has been raining but the reasons why are interesting. what can you tell us about the study? i interesting. what can you tell us about the study?— about the study? i have been in worcestershire _ about the study? i have been in worcestershire all— about the study? i have been in worcestershire all day - about the study? i have been in worcestershire all day and - about the study? i have been in worcestershire all day and it. about the study? i have been in | worcestershire all day and it has been raining continuously. what the scientists say is that rain—soaked autumn and winter that we all

enjoyed this year was made four times more likely by climate change. an extreme wet weather that we experienced caused severe flooding over the country. at least 13 people died as result and there was more than half £1 billion worth of damage according to uk insurers. but one man did manage single—handedly to hold back the flood waters. this is his home and you probably have seen it before but may not recognise it. he built this very substantial wall to protect himself. just take a look at this. this is how nick lupton's home looked during the terrible floods that have been engulfing parts of the uk ever since last october. an island in a sea of floodwater. although the house has got some really good mitigations in place, like barriers on the doors and pumps below the floor level, we finally decided to build ourselves a wall around the house. and what a wall.

it's got a heavy concrete base and is reinforced with steel. this winter was its ultimate test, with some of the highest water levels on record in the area, and the wall held firm. many other people didn't fare so well, though. the period between october and march was the second wettest on record, with a series of big storms barrelling in. researchers say the heavy downpours on stormy days would have happened once every 50 years if humans hadn't heated the planet. now we get them once every five years. our climate is changing, and in this study we found that we do expect the increase in rainfall intensity to continue in the future. but how much future climate change we experience does depend on how rapidly and quickly we and the world can respond and reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants.

so climate change means the uk isn't just getting warmer, it's getting wetter too. justin rowlatt, bbc news, worcestershire. time for a look at the weather. here's stav da naos. thank you very much. more wet weather is on the way and in fact it looks very wet for the next couple of days thanks to an area of low pressure parked on top of the uk. so very wet for many areas today particularly in the north of the country. this is the amber warning issued taking in parts of north—west england and north wales. this will be the wettest area by the time we end the day on thursday as the low pressure sits across the uk bringing heavy and persistent rain. this is the rainfall earlier piling on from the rainfall earlier piling on from the east. across england and wales and starting to move into eastern scotland as well. not too bad for