they cannot handle it when they see these witnesses what executives saying i don't recall or i don't remember. if you are in the inquiry room you sometimes hear chuckles or grounds because they become exasperated. at one point today paula vennells said the words my recollection is i don't recall. for several of them were here today, they have said the are reliving everything and one thing that really stands out is that no matter how many times you talk to them about the stories, whether it's to do with bankruptcy or criminal records in prison sentences, they still tear up as they start talking about this. and sitting in that room with paula vennells, they want answers, they

want full accountability but it isn't going to give them the years back. . ~ , ., ., ., ~ , back. thank you for taking us throu~h back. thank you for taking us through today's _ back. thank you for taking us through today's evidence. - back. thank you for taking us | through today's evidence. let back. thank you for taking us - through today's evidence. let me tell you we will be back on the campaign trail in a moment and we will be talking live to conservatives on this programme but before that let's just take a few minutes catching up with some of the other news that is making headlines today in the uk. a ten—year—old girl who died in a mudslide in north yorkshire has been named as leah harrison from darlington. herfamily have paid tribute to her as a �*happy and bubbly�* little girl. her school have called it a heartbreaking tragedy. the mudslide happened at carlton—in—cleveland yesterday fternoon. more now from our north of england correspondent danny savage, at the scene. we are on the northern end of the north york moors national park and

if you scan across to your right you can see how high up we are on the hills looking north towards teesside and middlesbrough. this area was sealed off yesterday as that search and rescue operation was under way. we knew yesterday evening that one person had died and details have emerged today about what happened. this was a tragedy that happened on a school trip from what we understand and the victim was leah hardison who was ten years old. she was in mount pleasant primary school in darlington. we understand she was on a school trip and was described as a happy and bubbly girl and in a statement from the school they say she was a much loved part of our school and our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends in the school staff. counselling has been arranged for all those affected. the weather yesterday he was horrendous. it's been raining for 30 hours and it's onlyjust stopped. about 60 millimetres of

rain in the one day yesterday, that is more than a month for this time of year. that caused a very difficult condition and she was caught up in a mudslide somewhere on these hills yesterday. she was always —— obviously buried and 30 mountain rescue volunteers arrived but they were unable to save her. the metropolitan police says a man has been charged with assisting russia's intelligence service. howard phillips, of harlow in essex, has been remanded in police custody. more from our security correspondent gordon corera: 0ne statement from the policing howard phillips is 64 years old from harlow and he has been charged under section three of the national security act. it relates to assisting a foreign intelligence service and in this case the police have specified that the country in question is russia. he has been remanded in police custody and they

have been two searches of properties which have been completed. police are saying this is not related to any other investigation currently under way and nor is there any threat to the public. we've had this new legislation only a year ago and we have already seen quite a few charges under it because it gives new powers effectively to the police to deal with assisting foreign intelligence services. but not many details specifically about what is involved in this arrest so far. he's the country's top civil servant, and today cabinet secretary simon case told the covid inquiry that downing street was "definitely dysfunctional" during the pandemic. he also said messages criticising borisjohnson and downing street colleagues were "raw, in the moment" expressions and not the reality of the government's pandemic response. mr case sent whatsapps saying mrjohnson "cannot lead" and calling officials "pygmies" at the height of the pandemic. he told the inquiry he "deeply regretted" the messages. ellie price reports:

he didn't give evidence along with the more familiarfaces he didn't give evidence along with the more familiar faces at the end of last year because he was off sick but he was right at the centre of decision—making during the pandemic becoming his most senior official adviser in september 2020. today he was asked about what's are present during that time and the personalities involved. crisis and - amies personalities involved. crisis and pygmies equals _ personalities involved. crisis and pygmies equals toxic _ personalities involved. crisis and| pygmies equals toxic behaviours. personalities involved. crisis and - pygmies equals toxic behaviours. the crisis is _ pygmies equals toxic behaviours. the crisis is a _ pygmies equals toxic behaviours. the crisis is a reference to coronavirus, your reference to pygmies. _ coronavirus, your reference to pygmies, was that an observation on the ability— pygmies, was that an observation on the ability of individuals in the cabinet — the ability of individuals in the cabinet office and number ten? |

cabinet office and number ten? i can't remember precisely but it would — can't remember precisely but it would be — can't remember precisely but it would be a _ can't remember precisely but it would be a fair— can't remember precisely but it would be a fair conclusion. - can't remember precisely but it would be a fair conclusion. he. would be a fair conclusion. he seemed would be a fair conclusion. seemed to become would be a fair conclusion.- seemed to become emotional would be a fair conclusion— seemed to become emotional about the toll it took another colleague. goad toll it took another colleague. good eo - le toll it took another colleague. good peeple working _ toll it took another colleague. good people working incredibly hard in impossible — people working incredibly hard in impossible circumstances - people working incredibly hard in impossible circumstances with i impossible circumstances with choices — impossible circumstances with choices when _ impossible circumstances with choices when it _ impossible circumstances with choices when it seems - impossible circumstances with choices when it seems there l impossible circumstances with . choices when it seems there was never— choices when it seems there was never a — choices when it seems there was never a right— choices when it seems there was never a right answer. _ choices when it seems there was never a right answer. but - choices when it seems there was never a right answer. but that i choices when it seems there was i never a right answer. but that lack of team _ never a right answer. but that lack of team spirit— never a right answer. but that lack of team spirit and _ never a right answer. but that lack of team spirit and the _ never a right answer. but that lack of team spirit and the difficult - of team spirit and the difficult atmosphere. _ of team spirit and the difficult atmosphere, we _ of team spirit and the difficult atmosphere, we were - of team spirit and the difficult atmosphere, we were trying i of team spirit and the difficultl atmosphere, we were trying to of team spirit and the difficult - atmosphere, we were trying to run everything — atmosphere, we were trying to run everything from _ atmosphere, we were trying to run everything from the _ atmosphere, we were trying to run everything from the centre - atmosphere, we were trying to run everything from the centre of- everything from the centre of government _ everything from the centre of government. good _ everything from the centre of government. good people . everything from the centre of. government. good people were everything from the centre of- government. good people were just being _ government. good people were just being smashed _ government. good people were just being smashed to— government. good people were just being smashed to pieces. _ government. good people were just being smashed to pieces. the- government. good people were 'ust being smashed to pieces. the inquiry had previously _ being smashed to pieces. the inquiry had previously had _ being smashed to pieces. the inquiry had previously had other— being smashed to pieces. the inquiry had previously had other whatsapp l had previously had other whatsapp from simon case in which he described borisjohnson as weak. he apologised but in the moment frustrations about the former prime minister. , . , frustrations about the former prime minister. , ., , ., minister. they are very role in the moment, human _ minister. they are very role in the moment, human expressions. - minister. they are very role in the l moment, human expressions. they minister. they are very role in the - moment, human expressions. they are not the _ moment, human expressions. they are not the whole _ moment, human expressions. they are not the whole story— moment, human expressions. they are not the whole story and _ moment, human expressions. they are not the whole story and i— moment, human expressions. they are not the whole story and i recognise - not the whole story and i recognise the party—

not the whole story and i recognise the party of— not the whole story and i recognise the party of the _ not the whole story and i recognise the party of the story. _ not the whole story and i recognise the party of the story. many- not the whole story and i recognise the party of the story. many of- not the whole story and i recognise i the party of the story. many of them now require — the party of the story. many of them now require an— the party of the story. many of them now require an apology _ the party of the story. many of them now require an apology for - the party of the story. many of them now require an apology for things i now require an apology for things that i_ now require an apology for things that i said — now require an apology for things that i said. ~ ., . that i said. when i introduced the furlou . h that i said. when i introduced the furlough scheme _ that i said. when i introduced the furlough scheme i _ that i said. when i introduced the furlough scheme i did _ that i said. when i introduced the furlough scheme i did so - that i said. when i introduced the furlough scheme i did so not - that i said. when i introduced the - furlough scheme i did so not because isaw— furlough scheme i did so not because i saw a _ furlough scheme i did so not because i saw a country simply in need of desperate — i saw a country simply in need of desperate help. his i saw a country simply in need of desperate help.— desperate help. his role in government _ desperate help. his role in government during - desperate help. his role in - government during coronavirus was one of the firstthing's sunak reminded voters of when announcing the election yesterday. that is why simon case's inside today is significant. reminder of some of the things that were going on at the time the government now i'd rather forget. his evidence will continue this afternoon and will conclude this afternoon and will conclude this part of the coronavirus inquiry about political decision—making during the pandemic. the report isn't expected until summer next year. there is to be a formal investigation in the prices charged by vets. pet owners need may be overpaying for treatment and might not be given clear information from practices about the cost they face. the cma says it will launch its

investigation because more than half a practices are owned byjust six companies. things we live in this country, catching up over a brew and our pets. more than half the someone and when they get sick it can mean some pretty big bills. i and when they get sick it can mean some pretty big bills.— some pretty big bills. i paid £185 last week for _ some pretty big bills. i paid £185 last week for some _ some pretty big bills. i paid £185 last week for some tablets - some pretty big bills. i paid £185 last week for some tablets and l last week for some tablets and consultation.— last week for some tablets and consultation. ., , ,., . , ., consultation. the transparency of the cost, consultation. the transparency of the cost. you _ consultation. the transparency of the cost, you never— consultation. the transparency of the cost, you never know - consultation. the transparency of the cost, you never know until. consultation. the transparency of| the cost, you never know until the procedure — the cost, you never know until the procedure is — the cost, you never know until the procedure is finished. i have not had any— procedure is finished. i have not had any horror stories but it'sjust the cost _ had any horror stories but it'sjust the cost with me. had any horror stories but it's 'ust the cost with mei the cost with me. expensive definitely- — the cost with me. expensive definitely. but _ the cost with me. expensive definitely. but it's _ the cost with me. expensive definitely. but it's the - the cost with me. expensive definitely. but it's the same j definitely. but it's the same everywhere so there is no where else you can go. they are only together. they would argue there are adding that the service and better standard of care for your animal. come to any market and it's clear how much things cost. here at the pet shop three plan for this product. if we take a walk appear this butchers

shopifs take a walk appear this butchers shop it's obvious what the prices are but when it comes to veterinary costs it is not so clear and that is what the cmo is looking into. the watchdog is also looking at whether too many vets are owned by half a dozen big companies and the impact that has on transparency of prices. this recent shift also means your local practice is often the thing of the past. i local practice is often the thing of the ast. ~ �* , local practice is often the thing of the ast. ,, �*, ., the past. i think it's important that every _ the past. i think it's important that every industry _ the past. i think it's important that every industry is - the past. i think it's important that every industry is open - the past. i think it's important. that every industry is open with consumers and everybody needs to know homes the business they are going to. 25 or 30 years ago it would have been commonplace for the brass plaque to be outside every veterinary practice with the names of the partners on it. if a practice is to corporate and doesn't change its name and this is something the cma has flagged up, that could create ambiguity. mil cma has flagged up, that could create ambiguity.— create ambiguity. all the vets i s - oke create ambiguity. all the vets i soke to create ambiguity. all the vets i spoke to fear _ create ambiguity. all the vets i spoke to fear we _ create ambiguity. all the vets i spoke to fear we just _ create ambiguity. all the vets i spoke to fear we just don't - spoke to fear we just don't understand how much medical care costs because of our free nhs and that leads to some unfair criticism.

since the cma review started there has been _ since the cma review started there has been really significant abuse of factory— has been really significant abuse of factory teams, people working veterinary practices, were unconnected with pricing decisions. we have _ unconnected with pricing decisions. we have chosen this profession because — we have chosen this profession because they care and they want to deliver— because they care and they want to deliver veterinary care for animals. the main _ deliver veterinary care for animals. the main thing animal lovers worry about is the cost of treating their pets. about is the cost of treating their ets. , , ., ., ., pets. everything is extortionate -rices. pets. everything is extortionate prices- they — pets. everything is extortionate prices. they can _ pets. everything is extortionate prices. they can charge - pets. everything is extortionate prices. they can charge what i pets. everything is extortionate l prices. they can charge what they want. ~ ., ., ., ., want. we are going to pose for the next few minutes _ want. we are going to pose for the next few minutes and _ want. we are going to pose for the next few minutes and catch - want. we are going to pose for the next few minutes and catch up - want. we are going to pose for the | next few minutes and catch up with the weather details in a moment but what a difference 24 hours makes. this time yesterday the podium was being set up and it was lashing with rain but now it's a bright sunny day and all of those political leaders are out on the campaign trail. yesterday you will be well aware of

those pictures, rishi sunak announcing that election and by the end of that speech he was absolutely drenched because of the downpour. today they are out and about on the campaign trail. the prime minister was out early and so to was the labour leader and throughout the course of the day we have seen the various party launches. let me tell you what's coming up in the next hour. we will here live from laura trott from the conservatives. we will be out on the campaign trail and we will also talk to sirjohn curtis on all the latest polling. all of that coming up after a look at the weather. hello. the rain has felt relentless across some parts of the uk over the last couple of days. a swirl of cloud and rain, an area of low pressure worked its way in from the near continent and then became very slow—moving. in parts of cumbria, we've seen more than 120 millimetres of rain in the space

ofjust 48 hours. the area of low pressure responsible is still with us. but it is filling, it is weakening, loosening its grip so the rain is starting to ease off. that said, still some fairly heavy bursts of rain to come across parts of north west england and southern scotland. a number of flood warnings still in force. a lot of cloud as well for many areas, and the best of any sunshine, i think, found across some southern and eastern counties of england, where temperatures will get to 19 or 20 celsius, but cooler further north and west with the cloud, with the splashes of rain. and then, through this evening and tonight, well, it's just a process of this area of low pressure gradually weakening and filling, but still providing lots of cloud, still providing some outbreaks of rain. a mild night for most, but where skies do clear across southern england, south wales, it will turn just a little bit chilly down to six or seven celsius in places. for tomorrow, our area of low pressure still with us. that means a lot of cloud for much of scotland, maybe the odd bright spell in western scotland. also rather cloudy for northern ireland,

northern england into the midlands, a good part of wales. still some bits and pieces of rain, but certainly not as wet as it has been. best chance of sunshine further south and east, again, temperatures up to 19 or 20 celsius in parts of south east england. and as we head into the weekend, a bank holiday weekend, of course, it is going to feel a little bit warmer. we will see some spells of sunshine, still the chance of some hefty showers. now, saturday should bring a decent amount of dry weather for many. this little weather system trying to push out of northern europe, that mayjust fringe some showery rain into some eastern counties of england. we'll have to keep an eye on that. still, a little bit of uncertainty. cloud and rain pushing into the west, later in the day. but in between those two weather systems, actually a slice of sunshine and warmth with temperatures up to around 20 or 21 celsius, or warmer day on saturday. keeping a relatively warm feel into sunday and indeed monday. some sunshine, yes, but some showers as well, some of which will be heavy, perhaps thundery.

live from downing street. this is bbc news. party leaders hit the campaign trail to set out their pitch to voters, as the country gears up for a snap summer election in six weeks' time. even though there's more work to do — and i know it will take time for you to all see the benefits of that — the plan is working and we have that economic stability back. this election is for you, because you now have the power, the chance to end the chaos, to turn the page and to rebuild britain.

coming up — we'll get reaction and analysis from the bbc�*s resident polling expert, professor sirjohn curtice. our other main headline — another key day of evidence at the post office inquiry, as the former boss paula vennells denies trying to close down a review of the faulty horizon it system. this was important, but i was reassured _ this was important, but i was reassured of— this was important, but i was reassured of the _ this was important, but i was reassured of the same - this was important, but i was reassured of the same time l this was important, but i was. reassured of the same time that these _ reassured of the same time that these bugs _ reassured of the same time that these bugs have _ reassured of the same time that these bugs have been— reassured of the same time that these bugs have been dealt- reassured of the same time thatl these bugs have been dealt with. welcome to downing street where 24 hours ago, rishi sunak called a general election to take

place on 4july.