welcome to the programme. we're starting with the british teenage darts sensation luke littler, who has become the youngest major champion in history after winning the premier league final on his debut. the 17—year—old threw a perfect nine—dart finish on his way to beating the world champion, luke humpries, in london 11 legs to seven. it's the first time anyone has done a nine—darter in the premier league since phil taylor back in 2010. it's been an extraordinary few months for littler, who burst onto the scene at the worlds at the beginning of the year, only losing to humphries in the final. he's now the becoming the biggest name in the sport. yeah, the worlds was reared, i

wasn't crying as i was, but i was disappointed at the world. after the break in the game then i came out and said to myself, this is it. i just had a spark of six or seven good legs. ijust cant wait just had a spark of six or seven good legs. i just cant wait to just had a spark of six or seven good legs. ijust cant wait to go to new york and see what happens there and have a holiday for a week. everybody is so happy to see when, for a week. everybody is so happy to see when. they _ for a week. everybody is so happy to see when, they want _ for a week. everybody is so happy to see when, they want him _ for a week. everybody is so happy to see when, they want him to - for a week. everybody is so happy to see when, they want him to win. - for a week. everybody is so happy to see when, they want him to win. in | see when, they want him to win. in sector_ see when, they want him to win. in sector 70 _ see when, they want him to win. in sector 70 is — see when, they want him to win. in sector 70 is probably nobody will want _ sector 70 is probably nobody will want him — sector 70 is probably nobody will want him to win because he has won everything — want him to win because he has won everything. he won his first major title, _ everything. he won his first major title, we — everything. he won his first major title, we knew it was coming. of course _ title, we knew it was coming. of course he — title, we knew it was coming. of course he is _ title, we knew it was coming. of course he is beatable, but tonight he wasn't — course he is beatable, but tonight he wasn't and that we look at it as a whole. _ he wasn't and that we look at it as a whole. it— he wasn't and that we look at it as a whole, it was definitely deserved. i'm sure _ a whole, it was definitely deserved. i'm sure he — a whole, it was definitely deserved. i'm sure he will win many, many more of them _ i'm sure he will win many, many more of them. 0nto football now and it's a huge

day of finals tomorrow, with two of the biggest derby rivalries in britain. in a minute we're going to hear more about the scottish cup final between rangers and celtic, but first, the newly—crowned premier league champions manchester city take on their rivals manchester united in a replay of last year's final. city won that one and, of course, they've also just won the league title. well, united's goalkeeper andre 0nana has been speaking to bbc sport and says the team are well aware of the size of the task ahead of them at wembley tomorrow afternoon. it isa it is a big challenge. it is the best team in the world at the moment. but they were lucky to win against us. it is football, you know? last season i think we played better than them but they want the final. at the end of the date about winning. when you win a big trophy changes everything. if you're going

into the game thinking manchester city will win, why go on the pitch? they are very good, but we have to prepare how overcome them, make the guild game difficult for them. we need to have more possession than m, there are things they don't like. we have to do what is the best for us and what will make the game difficult for them. we have to deal with the difficulties and hopefully things will change. if it doesn't change today, it will be tomorrow. the team wants to get better. i know when i have all my guys back, things will get better but we have to deal with the situation and we are doing our best to come back as soon as possible. our best to come back as soon as possible. so from wembley to hampden park, where glasgow rivals celtic play rangers in the scottish cup final, but unlike their manchester counterparts, this is the first

old firm cup final for 22 years. celtic have just won the league title, finishing ten points ahead of rangers in second — their 12th in 13 seasons. their manager, brendan rodgers, says he has no injuries to report and that his team are in the best condition for the game. there is always a challenge. in a celtic— rangers final. it is a great occasion. for us it is really focusing on our game and how we can win the game. we respect every opponent that we play, whether it is rangers, raith or whoever. we have to prepare for the game. we come into the game in the ideal condition. i don't think there is any doubt on that. we have been on fire in the last few months, playing really well. lots of challenges force at the beginning of the season. played every three or four days when really important players were missing, so that was a challenge, but i think over the

course as the season has built up, into the pressure moments of the season, the players have been absolutely superb and how they have dealt with that. we are right with having won the league in a really good way, playing well, so we coming in a real good condition for the game. it is always more than a trophy in this country— it is always more than a trophy in this country for the two clubs. of course, — this country for the two clubs. of course, he — this country for the two clubs. of course, he would have wanted to have better— course, he would have wanted to have better preparation in the last six or eight— better preparation in the last six or eight weeks. it has been difficult _ or eight weeks. it has been difficult with the players coming back out — difficult with the players coming back out of injury. 0thers falling out. back out of injury. 0thers falling out but — back out of injury. 0thers falling out but it — back out of injury. 0thers falling out. but it is about this, 90 minutes, _ out. but it is about this, 90 minutes, 120 minutes, they have to -ive minutes, 120 minutes, they have to give everything, everybody he is available — give everything, everybody he is available and i think if you guys would _ available and i think if you guys would want to come on to the pitch

with crutches. 0f would want to come on to the pitch with crutches. of course, i couldn't aiiow _ with crutches. of course, i couldn't allow that, — with crutches. of course, i couldn't allow that, but we want to go with every _ allow that, but we want to go with every hit _ allow that, but we want to go with every hit of— allow that, but we want to go with every bit of energy available. the summer of managerial movement has taken another turn in the last hour with the news that barcelona have sacked xavi. the former barca captain and spanish international will leave after their final game of the season on sunday. xavi had been unhappy at the la liga giants for some time and announced injanuary he would leave, but he was persuaded to stay at the nou camp by the club's president. that relationship now appears to have soured and the former bayern munich manager hansi flick is set to replace him. newcastle united have been in action this morning on their post—season trip to australia, but i bet they wish they hadn't — beaten 8—0 in the second of their friendly matches there. the timing of the tour had been called "madness" by former england and newcastle striker alan shearer. the side were thrashed by an a—league all stars team in melbourne. eddie howe had made wholesale changes to the side that beat spurs at the mcg on penalties on wednesday. claudio ranieri, who famously led leicester city to their fairytale

premier league title, has announced he's retiring. the 72—year—old was given a guard of honour at his last match as manager of cagliari in italy's serie a, the club where he started his managerial career back in 1988. ranieri went on to coach many of europe's biggest teams, including juventus, chelsea and inter milan, but he's best known for guiding leicester to their famous league title in 2016, one of sport's greatest success stories. first practise for f1's most glamourous grand prix has just finished and it was britain's lewis hamitlon who was fastest in monaco. it was the seven—time time world champion in his mercedes that clocked the quickest time ahead of oscar pisatri in the maclaren. george russell and lando norris were third and fourth fastest. reigning champion max verstappen was way down the time sheets. second practise starts at four 0'clock. 0nto rugby union and the former england wingerjonny may will bring to a close his gloucester career this evening as they take on the south african

side sharks in the final of the european challenge cup. may has played 193 times over two spells at gloucester since making his debut 15 years ago. pretty nervous. 0f pretty nervous. of course, i'm grateful and excited to play on that patch, to play in a final. i have trust and optimism and the that we have done and are keen team that we are. i am have done and are keen team that we are. iam nervous, doesn't change getting older, it doesn't change how much you have done it. i think it would be more of a worry if i wasn't nervous. there is no hiding away from the challenge that there is under pressure that there is, but it is also a privilege. it is a lot, just an emotional roller—coaster just an emotional roller—coaster just to get there, then you have got to go into your stuff. you can get all the latest sports news from the bbc sport app, or at our website.

that's bbc.co.uk/sport. from me and the rest of the team at the bbc sport centre, goodbye. we will have more on the election campaign coming up. to the hague now where the international court ofjustice, the un's top court, will shortly rule on a request by south africa to order an israeli ceasefire in gaza. this is the fourth time south africa has appealed to the court. in this latest plea, its lawyers requested the court to order israel to cease military operations immediately in the gaza strip, including the city of rafah, where more than a million palestinians have been sheltering. israel has said no power on earth will stop it protecting its citizens and going after hamas in gaza. the court has no way to enforce its rulings and in the past they've been ignored, though a ruling today against israel would increase

international legal pressure on it. let's show you briefly what is happening there now. we will keep a close eye on events there. it is a significant moments, but the court will rule on that's request by south africa relating to the israeli ceasefire in gaza. while we wait for those proceedings to get under way, we will talk about that some more at the top of the hour. for all of that, it is time to look at the weather. hello. the heavy and persistent rain of the last few days has been easing. the cloud is starting to break up. there's a little bit of sunshine out there for some of us this afternoon and i think we will see more of that through this coming bank holiday weekend. it's going to feel warm in the sunshine, but there will also be some really heavy and perhaps thundery downpours,

but through the rest of today still quite a lot of cloud around for many areas, but that tending to thin and break. the thickest of the cloud across northern ireland, south west scotland — still producing some spits and spots of rain. the best of the sunshine across southern england into south wales. here just the odd shower and highs of around 19 degrees. through this evening and tonight the cloud should continue to break up. i think across northern ireland, parts of south—west scotland that cloud will be quite stubborn, but elsewhere some clear spells developing, perhaps some mist and fog patches through the early part of saturday. temperatures for some, particularly out in the countryside across parts of wales, southern england, will get pretty low, down to around three or four degrees. so it could be quite a chilly start to saturday morning, some mist and fog patches. a bright start for many, but a couple of weather systems. this one creeping in from the east is going to bring more cloud and perhaps some showery rain across east anglia and then maybe fringing into other eastern counties of england. another weather system pushing in from the west, that will bring rain into the south—west of england

by the end of the afternoon. in between, a slice of sunshine with just one or two showers and temperatures in northern scotland and also south—east england could get up to 20 or 21 degrees. on saturday evening this little weather system will continue to bring rain across some parts of northern and eastern england, into southern scotland. this one bringing rain into wales and northern ireland. as these two different weather systems just continue to rotate across the uk on sunday, what we really end up with is a day of sunny spells and showers, but some of those showers will be really heavy, slow moving, could dump a lot of rain in a short space of time and there could be some thunder and lightning thrown in, particularly across england and wales. in the sunny spots between the showers still feeling relatively warm. for bank holiday monday, still sunshine and showers, but this time the heaviest showers likely to be across eastern and northern england and into the eastern side of scotland. not as many showers further south and west. temperatures around 17 degrees.

live from london, this is bbc news. this is the scene live at the un's top court where judges will rule imminently on a request to order israel to halt its offensive in rafah. i'm inside the peace palace, home to the international court ofjustice. we will be bringing you the judges�* decision live from the hague. the israeli army says it�*s retrieved the bodies of three hostages killed in the hamas attack on october 7th, and taken into gaza. hundreds of people are feared dead in a massive landslide in a remote area of papua new guinea.

a sprint start to a six—week marathon. political leaders dash across the uk, campaigning for the lithjuly election. hello, i�*m ben brown, welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast—moving news and interviews. we start this hour in the hague in the netherlands — where the international court ofjustice — the un�*s top court — will shortly rule on a request by south africa to order israel to cease military operations immediately in the southern gaza city of rafah, where more than a million palestinians have been sheltering. this is the scene live at the hague were in response, israel has said that no power on earth will stop it

protecting its citizens and going after hamas in gaza. the court has no way to enforce its rulings and in the past they�*ve been ignored — though a ruling against israel would increase international legal pressure on it. live now to the hague and our correspondent, anna holligan. she is inside the building where the court is about to return its ruling. here we go, they are standing waiting for thejudges to here we go, they are standing waiting for the judges to come in, waiting for the judges to come in, waiting for the judges to come in, waiting for that ruling. just give us an idea of what is happening now. so, this is the panel of internationaljudges entering the great hall ofjustice. you�*ll see great hall of justice. you�*ll see both great hall ofjustice. you�*ll see both south africa and israel inside the courtroom on either side. a

quick reminder, south africa has asked for provisional measures that will compel israel to call a ceasefire, withdraw idf troops from rafah, allow humanitarian aid to access un officials and investigators, the media, and report back. the court is now in session. so, we arejust so, we are just about to hear, we are hoping, that ruling from the court�*s justices. for reasons made known to me and my

fellow _ for reasons made known to me and my fellowjudges, who duly participated in the _ fellowjudges, who duly participated in the deliberation and the final vote, _ in the deliberation and the final vote, are — in the deliberation and the final vote, are not in a position to takem — take... broadcast interrupted by interference. participated in the deliberations... broadcast interrupted by interference. and the final vote, are not in a position— and the final vote, are not in a position to _ and the final vote, are not in a position to take their seat on the bench _ position to take their seat on the bench today. the judge also participated is unable tojoin us today— participated is unable tojoin us today for— participated is unable tojoin us today for family reasons. i recall that on— today for family reasons. i recall that on december 29, 2023, south africa _ that on december 29, 2023, south africa filed — that on december 29, 2023, south africa filed in the registry of the court _ africa filed in the registry of the court and — africa filed in the registry of the court and application instituting proceedings against israel

concerning alleged violations in the gaza strip — concerning alleged violations in the gaza strip of obligations under the convention on the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide. to which— punishment of the crime of genocide. to which i_ punishment of the crime of genocide. to which i shall refer as the genocide _ to which i shall refer as the genocide convention. the application of south _ genocide convention. the application of south africa contains a request for the _ of south africa contains a request for the indication of provisional measures _ for the indication of provisional measures. the court indicated certain— measures. the court indicated certain provisional measures by an order— certain provisional measures by an order issued onjanuary certain provisional measures by an order issued on january 26 2024. by a letter— order issued on january 26 2024. by a letter dated february 12, 2024, south _ a letter dated february 12, 2024, south africa, referring to, i quote, the developing circumstance in rafah, — the developing circumstance in rafah, and have called upon the court _ rafah, and have called upon the court urgently to exercise its power under _ court urgently to exercise its power under article 75, paragraph one of the rules— under article 75, paragraph one of the rules of— under article 75, paragraph one of the rules of court. the registrar informed — the rules of court. the registrar informed the parties of the court decision— informed the parties of the court decision in— informed the parties of the court decision in response to their

communication by letter on 16 february— communication by letter on 16 february 2024. on march the 6th 2024. _ february 2024. on march the 6th 2024, south africa requested the court _ 2024, south africa requested the court to _ 2024, south africa requested the court to indicate further provisional measures and or to modify— provisional measures and or to modify measures indicated injanuary the 26th, _ modify measures indicated injanuary the 26th, 2024. by an order of march 28, the 26th, 2024. by an order of march 28. 2024. _ the 26th, 2024. by an order of march 28, 2024, the court reaffirmed the provisional— 28, 2024, the court reaffirmed the provisional measures, indicated in its order— provisional measures, indicated in its order of— provisional measures, indicated in its order ofjanuary the 26, 2024, and indicated certain additional provisional measures. 0n the 10th of may 2024. _ provisional measures. 0n the 10th of may 2024, south africa submitted to the court _ may 2024, south africa submitted to the court what it described as an urgent _ the court what it described as an urgent request for the modification and indication of provisional measures. pursuing to article 41 of the statute — measures. pursuing to article 41 of the statute as article 75 and 76 of

the statute as article 75 and 76 of the rules— the statute as article 75 and 76 of the rules of court. in accordance with— the rules of court. in accordance with usual— the rules of court. in accordance with usual practice, i shall not read _ with usual practice, i shall not read the — with usual practice, i shall not read the introductory paragraphs of the order — read the introductory paragraphs of the order. we will set out the procedural history of the case. i should — procedural history of the case. i should also omit or summarise some other— should also omit or summarise some other paragraphs. i shall therefore begin— other paragraphs. i shall therefore begin by— other paragraphs. i shall therefore begin by reading the order at paragraph 20. the court begins by noting _ paragraph 20. the court begins by noting that in its view south africa's _ noting that in its view south africa's present request is a request— africa's present request is a request for the modification of the order— request for the modification of the order of— request for the modification of the order of march 28, 2024. the courts must _ order of march 28, 2024. the courts must determine whether the conditions set forth in article 76, paragraph — conditions set forth in article 76, paragraph one of the rules of court have been— paragraph one of the rules of court have been fulfilled. that paragraph reads— have been fulfilled. that paragraph reads as _ have been fulfilled. that paragraph reads as follows. i quote, at the request— reads as follows. i quote, at the request of— reads as follows. i quote, at the request of a party, the court may at anytime _ request of a party, the court may at any time before the finaljudgment

in the _ any time before the finaljudgment in the case revoke or modify any decision— in the case revoke or modify any decision concerning provisional measures— decision concerning provisional measures if, in its opinion, justifies _ measures if, in its opinion, justifies such modification. taking into account the information the parties — into account the information the parties have provided with respect to the _ parties have provided with respect to the current situation, there is reason _ to the current situation, there is reason to— to the current situation, there is reason to conclude that the situation _ reason to conclude that the situation that warranted the decision— situation that warranted the decision set out in its order of march — decision set out in its order of march 28 _ decision set out in its order of march 28 2024 has changed since that time. march 28 2024 has changed since that time if_ march 28 2024 has changed since that time if the _ march 28 2024 has changed since that time. if the court finds there was a change _ time. if the court finds there was a change in — time. if the court finds there was a change in the situation since the delivery— change in the situation since the delivery of— change in the situation since the delivery of its earlier order, it would — delivery of its earlier order, it would then have to consider whether such a _ would then have to consider whether such a change justifies a modification of its earlier decision concerning — modification of its earlier decision

concerning provisional measures. any such modification would be appropriate only if the general conditions in article 41 of the statute — conditions in article 41 of the statute of the court were also met in this— statute of the court were also met in this instance. the court thus hegins — in this instance. the court thus begins by— in this instance. the court thus begins by determining whether there has been _ begins by determining whether there has been a _ begins by determining whether there has been a change in the situation that warranted the decision set out in its _ that warranted the decision set out in its order— that warranted the decision set out in its order of march 28,2024. that warranted the decision set out in its order of march 28, 2024. the court _ in its order of march 28, 2024. the court recaiis — in its order of march 28, 2024. the court recalls that its order of january— court recalls that its order of january 20 six, 2024, it noted that the military— january 20 six, 2024, it noted that the military operation conducted by israei— the military operation conducted by israel following the attack of october the 7th 2023, had resulted in, i october the 7th 2023, had resulted in. i guote, — october the 7th 2023, had resulted in, i quote, a large number of deaths — in, i quote, a large number of deathsand— in, i quote, a large number of deaths and injuries, as well as the massive _ deaths and injuries, as well as the massive destruction of homes, the forcible _ massive destruction of homes, the forcible displacement of the vast majority— forcible displacement of the vast majority of the population and

extensive damage to civilian infrastructure. end of quote. in its decision— infrastructure. end of quote. in its decision communicated to the parties by ietters— decision communicated to the parties by letters of 16th of february, 2024. — by letters of 16th of february, 2024, the court noted, quoted the united _ 2024, the court noted, quoted the united nations secretary general, that the _ united nations secretary general, that the gaza strip and rafah in particular, i quote, would exponentially increase what was already— exponentially increase what was already a — exponentially increase what was already a humanitarian nightmare with untold regional consequences. end of— with untold regional consequences. end of quote. the court further recaiis — end of quote. the court further recalls that in its order of march 28, recalls that in its order of march 28. 2024. — recalls that in its order of march 28, 2024, it observed with regret that the _ 28, 2024, it observed with regret that the catastrophic living conditions of the palestinians in the gaza — conditions of the palestinians in the gaza strip had deteriorated further— the gaza strip had deteriorated further since january 2024. especially in view of the prolonged

and widespread deprivation of food and widespread deprivation of food and other— and widespread deprivation of food and other basic necessities to which the palestinians in the gaza strip had been — the palestinians in the gaza strip had been subjected. in the present order, _ had been subjected. in the present order, the — had been subjected. in the present order, the court notes that the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the _ catastrophic humanitarian situation in the gaza — catastrophic humanitarian situation in the gaza strip which, as stated in the gaza strip which, as stated in its _ in the gaza strip which, as stated in its order— in the gaza strip which, as stated in its order ofjanuary 20 six, 2024. — in its order ofjanuary 20 six, 2024. was _ in its order ofjanuary 20 six, 2024, was a serious —— at serious risk— 2024, was a serious —— at serious risk of— 2024, was a serious —— at serious risk of deterioration, has deteriorated, and has done so even further— deteriorated, and has done so even further since the court adopted its order— further since the court adopted its order of— further since the court adopted its order of march 28, 2024. further since the court adopted its order of march 28,2024. —— january 26. order of march 28,2024. —— january 2g in _ order of march 28,2024. —— january 2g in this— order of march 28,2024. —— january 26. in this regard, the court observes— 26. in this regard, the court observes that the concern that it expressed — observes that the concern that it expressed in its decision communicated to the parties on february— communicated to the parties on february 16, 2024, with respect to the developments in rafah have materialised and that the humanitarian situation is now to be characterised as disastrous. after

weeks _ characterised as disastrous. after weeks of— characterised as disastrous. after weeks of intensification of military bombardments of rafah where more than 1_ bombardments of rafah where more than1 million palestinians had fled as a result — than1 million palestinians had fled as a result of israeli evacuation orders, — as a result of israeli evacuation orders, covering more than three quarters — orders, covering more than three quarters of— orders, covering more than three quarters of gaza's in thai territory. _ quarters of gaza's in thai territory, on the 6th of may, 2024, nearly— territory, on the 6th of may, 2024, nearly 100,000 palestinians were ordered _ nearly 100,000 palestinians were ordered by israel to evacuate the eastern _ ordered by israel to evacuate the eastern portion of rafah and relocate _ eastern portion of rafah and relocate to al mawasi and khan younis— relocate to al mawasi and khan younis areas ahead of a planned military— younis areas ahead of a planned military offensive. —— entire territory~ _ military offensive. —— entire territory. the military ground offensive _ territory. the military ground offensive in rafah which israel started — offensive in rafah which israel started on the 7th of may, 2024, is still ongoing, and has led to new evacuation — still ongoing, and has led to new evacuation orders. as a result, according — evacuation orders. as a result, according to united nations reports, nearly— according to united nations reports, nearly 800,000 people have been

displaced from rafah as at the 18th of may, _ displaced from rafah as at the 18th of may, 2024. the court considered that the _ of may, 2024. the court considered that the aforementioned developments which are _ that the aforementioned developments which are exceptionally grave, in particular— which are exceptionally grave, in particular the military offensive in rafah, _ particular the military offensive in rafah, and the resulting repeated large—scale displacement of already extremely vulnerable palestinian population in the gaza strip constitute a change in the situation within— constitute a change in the situation within the — constitute a change in the situation within the meaning of article 76 of the rules— within the meaning of article 76 of the rules of court. the court is also _ the rules of court. the court is also of— the rules of court. the court is also of the _ the rules of court. the court is also of the view that provisional measures— also of the view that provisional measures indicated in its order of 28th of— measures indicated in its order of 28th of march, 2024, as well as those _ 28th of march, 2024, as well as those reaffirmed therein, do not fully address the consequences arising — fully address the consequences arising from the change in the situation _ arising from the change in the situation previously explained. thus

justifying _ situation previously explained. thus justifying the modification of these measures. however, in orderto modify— measures. however, in orderto modify its— measures. however, in orderto modify its earlier decision concerning provisional measures, the court _ concerning provisional measures, the court must _ concerning provisional measures, the court must still satisfy itself that the general conditions laid down in article _ the general conditions laid down in article 41 _ the general conditions laid down in article 41 of the statute of the court — article 41 of the statute of the court met in the current situation. the court — court met in the current situation. the court next turns to the condition _ the court next turns to the condition deir for the indication of provisional— condition deir for the indication of provisional measures. it recalls that in— provisional measures. it recalls that in its— provisional measures. it recalls that in its orders ofjanuary16, 26, that in its orders ofjanuary16, 26. 2024 — that in its orders ofjanuary16, 26, 2024 and march 28, 2024, it concluded _ 26, 2024 and march 28, 2024, it concluded that prima facie, it had jurisdiction— concluded that prima facie, it had jurisdiction pursuant to article nine _ jurisdiction pursuant to article nine of— jurisdiction pursuant to article nine of the genocide convention to entertain— nine of the genocide convention to entertain the case. the court sees no reason — entertain the case. the court sees no reason to— entertain the case. the court sees no reason to revisit that conclusion for the _ no reason to revisit that conclusion for the purposes of deciding on the

present— for the purposes of deciding on the present request. in the order of january— present request. in the order of january 26, 2024, the court also found _ january 26, 2024, the court also found that — january 26, 2024, the court also found that at least some of that claimed — found that at least some of that claimed by south africa under the genocide — claimed by south africa under the genocide convention under which it was seeking protection were plausible. namely, the right of the palestinians in gaza be protected from _ palestinians in gaza be protected from acts— palestinians in gaza be protected from acts of genocide and related prohibited acts mentioned in article three _ prohibited acts mentioned in article three and — prohibited acts mentioned in article three. and the right of south africa to seek— three. and the right of south africa to seek israel's compliance with the iatter's_ to seek israel's compliance with the latter's obligation under the convention. the court saw no reason to revisit _ convention. the court saw no reason to revisit this — convention. the court saw no reason to revisit this conclusion in its order— to revisit this conclusion in its order of— to revisit this conclusion in its order of march 20 2024. the court iikewise _ order of march 20 2024. the court likewise sees no reason to do so for the purposes of deciding on the present— the purposes of deciding on the present request. it further considers that by their very nature

at least _ considers that by their very nature at least some of the provisional measures— at least some of the provisional measures sought pursuant to the present— measures sought pursuant to the present request are aimed at preserving that claimed by the applicant that the court has found to be _ applicant that the court has found to be plausible. the court must next consider— to be plausible. the court must next consider whether the current situation _ consider whether the current situation entails a risk of irreparable prejudice to the plausible rights claimed by south africa _ plausible rights claimed by south africa and whether there is urgency. the court _ africa and whether there is urgency. the court recalls in this regard that— the court recalls in this regard that it — the court recalls in this regard that it has _ the court recalls in this regard that it has previously concluded that it has previously concluded that in— that it has previously concluded that in view of the fundamental vaiues — that in view of the fundamental values sought to be protected by the genocide _ values sought to be protected by the genocide convention, the plausible rights _ genocide convention, the plausible rights in _ genocide convention, the plausible rights in question in these proceedings are of such a nature that prejudices to them is capable of causing — that prejudices to them is capable of causing irreparable harm. the court _ of causing irreparable harm. the court recalls that on 7th of may,

2024. _ court recalls that on 7th of may, 2024, israel began a military offensive in rafah following weeks offensive in rafah following weeks of intensified bombardment. and that as a result _ of intensified bombardment. and that as a result approximately 800,000 palestinians were displaced from rafah— palestinians were displaced from rafah as — palestinians were displaced from rafah as at 18th of may, 2024. the court _ rafah as at 18th of may, 2024. the court notes — rafah as at 18th of may, 2024. the court notes that a senior united nations— court notes that a senior united nations officials have consistently underscored the immense risks associated with the military offensive in rafah. for instance, on third _ offensive in rafah. for instance, on third of— offensive in rafah. for instance, on third of 2024, the spokesperson of the office — third of 2024, the spokesperson of the office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs warned that an assault— humanitarian affairs warned that an assault on— humanitarian affairs warned that an assault on rafah would put, i quote, hundreds— assault on rafah would put, i quote, hundreds of— assault on rafah would put, i quote, hundreds of thousands of people at imminent— hundreds of thousands of people at imminent risk of death. end of guote~ — imminent risk of death. end of quote. and would severely impact the humanitarian operation in the entire

gaza strip _ humanitarian operation in the entire gaza strip which is run primarily out of— gaza strip which is run primarily out of rafah. on the 6th of may, 2024. _ out of rafah. on the 6th of may, 2024. the — out of rafah. on the 6th of may, 2024, the united nations children's fund indicated that about half the approximately 1.2 million palestinians sheltering in rafah were _ palestinians sheltering in rafah were children, and warned that military— were children, and warned that military operations that would result— military operations that would result in. _ military operations that would result in, and i quote, the few remaining _ result in, and i quote, the few remaining basic services and infrastructure they need to survive being _ infrastructure they need to survive being totally destroyed. end of guote~ — being totally destroyed. end of quote. the united nations sources indicate _ quote. the united nations sources indicate that the aforementioned risks had — indicate that the aforementioned risks had started to materialise and will intensify even further if the operation — will intensify even further if the operation continues. for instance, on the _ operation continues. for instance, on the 8th— operation continues. for instance, on the 8th of may, 2024, the director—general of the world health

organization stated the al—nusra hospital, — organization stated the al—nusra hospital, one of the last remaining medicai— hospital, one of the last remaining medical facilities in the rafah area was no _ medical facilities in the rafah area was no longer functional due to the ongoing _ was no longer functional due to the ongoing hostilities in its vicinity. on ongoing hostilities in its vicinity. 0n the _ ongoing hostilities in its vicinity. on the 17th of may, 2024, the world food programme warned that it had been able _ food programme warned that it had been able to access its warehouse in rafahm _ been able to access its warehouse in rafah... hadn't been able to access its warehouses in rafah for over a week— its warehouses in rafah for over a week and — its warehouses in rafah for over a week and observed that, i quote, the incursion— week and observed that, i quote, the incursion into rafah is a significant setback to recent modest progress _ significant setback to recent modest progress on access. end of quote. on the basis _ progress on access. end of quote. on the basis of— progress on access. end of quote. on the basis of information before it, the basis of information before it, the court — the basis of information before it, the court is — the basis of information before it, the court is not convinced that the evacuation — the court is not convinced that the evacuation efforts and related measures that israel affirms to have undertaken — measures that israel affirms to have undertaken to enhance the security of civilians — undertaken to enhance the security of civilians in the gaza strip and

in particular those recently displaced from the rafah governorate, are sufficient to alleviate _ governorate, are sufficient to alleviate the immense risks to which the palestinian population is exposed as a result of the military offensive — exposed as a result of the military offensive in rafah. the court observed, for instance, that according _ observed, for instance, that according to a statement by the commissioner general of the united nations— commissioner general of the united nations relief and works agency for palestine _ nations relief and works agency for palestine refugees in the near east, mr philippe lazzarini, on the 18th of may, _ mr philippe lazzarini, on the 18th of may, 2024, i quote, the areas that peoples are fleeing to now do not have _ that peoples are fleeing to now do not have safe water supplies or sanitation — not have safe water supplies or sanitation facilities. al mawasi, is one example, is a sandy, 14 square kilometre _ one example, is a sandy, 14 square kilometre agricultural land where peopie _ kilometre agricultural land where people are left out in the open with little to _ people are left out in the open with little to no — people are left out in the open with little to no buildings. it lacks the

minimal— little to no buildings. it lacks the minimal conditions to provide the emergency humanitarian assistance in a safe _ emergency humanitarian assistance in a safe and _ emergency humanitarian assistance in a safe and dignified manner. end of guote~ _ a safe and dignified manner. end of quote the — a safe and dignified manner. end of quote. the court observed that israei— quote. the court observed that israei has _ quote. the court observed that israel has not provided sufficient information concerning the safety of the population during the evacuation process _ the population during the evacuation process. all the availability in the al process. all the availability in the at mawasi — process. all the availability in the al mawasi area of the necessary amount— al mawasi area of the necessary amount of— al mawasi area of the necessary amount of water, sanitation, food, medicine, — amount of water, sanitation, food, medicine, shelterforthe amount of water, sanitation, food, medicine, shelter for the 800,000 palestinians that have evacuated thus far — palestinians that have evacuated thus far. consequently, the court is of the _ thus far. consequently, the court is of the view— thus far. consequently, the court is of the view that israel has not sufficiently addressed and dispelled the concerns raised by its military offensive — the concerns raised by its military offensive in rafah. in light of the considerations set out in the preceding sections and taking account— preceding sections and taking account of the provisional measures indicated _ account of the provisional measures indicated in — account of the provisional measures

indicated in its orders of 26th of january. — indicated in its orders of 26th of january, 2024, and 28th of march, 2024. _ january, 2024, and 28th of march, 2024. the — january, 2024, and 28th of march, 2024, the court finds that the current — 2024, the court finds that the current situation arising from israei's — current situation arising from israel's military offensive in rafah entaiis _ israel's military offensive in rafah entails a — israel's military offensive in rafah entails a further risk of irreparable prejudice to the rights ciaimed _ irreparable prejudice to the rights claimed by south africa and that there _ claimed by south africa and that there is— claimed by south africa and that there is urgency in the sense that there _ there is urgency in the sense that there exists a real and imminent risk that— there exists a real and imminent risk that such prejudice will be caused — risk that such prejudice will be caused before the court gives its final decision. the court concludes on the _ final decision. the court concludes on the basis — final decision. the court concludes on the basis of the aforementioned considerations, that the circumstances of the case required to modify— circumstances of the case required to modify its decision set out in its order— to modify its decision set out in its order of— to modify its decision set out in its order of 28th of march, 2024. the court — its order of 28th of march, 2024. the court records that in accordance with articie — the court records that in accordance with article 75, paragraph two of its rules, — with article 75, paragraph two of its rules, the request for the

indication— its rules, the request for the indication of provisional measures has been — indication of provisional measures has been made, it had the power under— has been made, it had the power under its — has been made, it had the power under its statutes to indicate measures that are not in whole or in part other— measures that are not in whole or in part other than those requested. in the present case, having considered the present case, having considered the terms _ the present case, having considered the terms of the provisional measures, requested by south africa, and the _ measures, requested by south africa, and the circumstances of the case, the court _ and the circumstances of the case, the court found that the measures indicated — the court found that the measures indicated a — the court found that the measures indicated a need not be identical to those _ indicated a need not be identical to those requests. the court considered that in— those requests. the court considered that in conformity with the obligations under the genocide convention israel must immediately halt convention israel must immediately bait its— convention israel must immediately halt its military offensive and any other— halt its military offensive and any other action in the rafah governorate which may inflict on the palestinian — governorate which may inflict on the palestinian group in gaza condition of life _ palestinian group in gaza condition of life that — palestinian group in gaza condition of life that could bring its physical destruction in whole or in part _ physical destruction in whole or in part the — physical destruction in whole or in part. the court recalls that in its order— part. the court recalls that in its order of— part. the court recalls that in its order of 26th ofjanuary, 2024, it

ordered _ order of 26th ofjanuary, 2024, it ordered israel two, and order of 26th ofjanuary, 2024, it ordered israeltwo, and i order of 26th ofjanuary, 2024, it ordered israel two, and i quote, take _ ordered israel two, and i quote, take effective measures to prevent the destruction and ensure the preservation of evidence related to allegations of acts within the scope of article _ allegations of acts within the scope of article two and article three of the genocide convention. end of guote~ _ the genocide convention. end of quote in — the genocide convention. end of quote. in the present circumstances the court _ quote. in the present circumstances the court is — quote. in the present circumstances the court is also of the view that in order— the court is also of the view that in order to — the court is also of the view that in order to preserve evidence related — in order to preserve evidence related to allegations of acts faiiing — related to allegations of acts falling within the scope of article two and — falling within the scope of article two and article three of the genocide convention, israel must take effective measures to ensure the unimpeded access to the gaza strip of— the unimpeded access to the gaza strip of any commission of inquiry, fact-finding — strip of any commission of inquiry, fact—finding mission or whatever mandated body from the united nations — mandated body from the united nations to investigate allegations of genocide. the court also

considers— of genocide. the court also considers that the catastrophic situation — considers that the catastrophic situation in gaza confirmed the need for the _ situation in gaza confirmed the need for the immediate and effective implementation of the measures indicated — implementation of the measures indicated in its orders of 26th of january. — indicated in its orders of 26th of january, 2024 and 28th of march, 2024 _ january, 2024 and 28th of march, 2024. which were applicable throughout the gaza strip, including in rafah _ throughout the gaza strip, including in rafah in— throughout the gaza strip, including in rafah. in these circumstances, the court — in rafah. in these circumstances, the court finds it necessary to reaffirm — the court finds it necessary to reaffirm the measures indicated in those _ reaffirm the measures indicated in those orders. in so doing, the court wishes _ those orders. in so doing, the court wishes to— those orders. in so doing, the court wishes to emphasise that the measure indicated _ wishes to emphasise that the measure indicated in _ wishes to emphasise that the measure indicated in paragraph 51 two a of its order— indicated in paragraph 51 two a of its order of— indicated in paragraph 51 two a of its order of march 28, 2024, requiring. _ its order of march 28, 2024, requiring, i quote, the unhindered provision — requiring, i quote, the unhindered provision at — requiring, i quote, the unhindered provision at scale by all concerned of urgently— provision at scale by all concerned of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance, end of quote. _

and humanitarian assistance, end of quote, necessitates that the respondent maintain open land crossing — respondent maintain open land crossing points and in particular the rafah— crossing points and in particular the rafah crossing. in view of the specific— the rafah crossing. in view of the specific provisional measures, it has decided to indicate, the court considered — has decided to indicate, the court considered israel must submit a report— considered israel must submit a report to — considered israel must submit a report to the court on all measures taken _ report to the court on all measures taken to— report to the court on all measures taken to give effect to this order within— taken to give effect to this order within one — taken to give effect to this order within one month from the date of this order — within one month from the date of this order. the report also provided communication to south africa which shall be _ communication to south africa which shall be given the opportunity to submit _ shall be given the opportunity to submit to— shall be given the opportunity to submit to the court its comments on their own _ submit to the court its comments on their own. the court records that his orders— their own. the court records that his orders and provisional measures under— his orders and provisional measures under article 41 of the statute have binding _ under article 41 of the statute have binding effect and thus create international legal obligations for any party to whom the provisional measures— any party to whom the provisional measures are addressed. the court underiined — measures are addressed. the court underlined that the present order is without— underlined that the present order is without prejudice to any findings

concerning the respondent's compliance with the orders of 26th ofjanuary. — compliance with the orders of 26th ofjanuary, 2024 and 28th of march, 2024 _ ofjanuary, 2024 and 28th of march, 2024 in _ ofjanuary, 2024 and 28th of march, 2024 in its — ofjanuary, 2024 and 28th of march, 2024. in its orders of 26th of january. _ 2024. in its orders of 26th of january, 2024 and 28th of march, 2024. _ january, 2024 and 28th of march, 2024. the — january, 2024 and 28th of march, 2024, the court expressed its grave concern _ 2024, the court expressed its grave concern over— 2024, the court expressed its grave concern over the fate of the hostages abducted during the attacks in israei— hostages abducted during the attacks in israel on october the 7th, 2023, held by— in israel on october the 7th, 2023, held by hamas and other armed groups and called _ held by hamas and other armed groups and called for the immediate and unconditional release. the court finds— unconditional release. the court finds it — unconditional release. the court finds it deeply troubling that many of these _ finds it deeply troubling that many of these hostages remain in captivity— of these hostages remain in captivity and reiterate its call for their— captivity and reiterate its call for their immediate and unconditional release _ their immediate and unconditional release i— their immediate and unconditional release. i shall now read out the operative — release. i shall now read out the operative part of the order. for these _ operative part of the order. for these reasons the court, by 13 votes

to two. _ these reasons the court, by 13 votes to two, reaffirms the provisional measures— to two, reaffirms the provisional measures indicated in its order of january— measures indicated in its order of january 26. — measures indicated in its order of january 26, 2024, and march 20 eight. _ january 26, 2024, and march 20 eight, 2024, which should be immediately and effectively implement the —— march 28,2024. president, judges, against vice president, judges, against vice president and judge. to indicate the following _ president and judge. to indicate the following provisional measures, the state of _ following provisional measures, the state of israel shall in conformity with its— state of israel shall in conformity with its obligations under the convention on the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide

and in _ punishment of the crime of genocide and in view— punishment of the crime of genocide and in view of the worsening conditions of life faced by civiiians _ conditions of life faced by civilians in the rafah governorate, by 13-2. _ civilians in the rafah governorate, by 13—2, immediately halt its military— by 13—2, immediately halt its military offensive and any other action— military offensive and any other action in— military offensive and any other action in the rafah governorate which _ action in the rafah governorate which may inflict on the palestinian group _ which may inflict on the palestinian group in _ which may inflict on the palestinian group in gaza conditions of life that would bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part. in favour. _ destruction in whole or in part. in favour, present and judges. against, vice president sebutinde and one _ against, vice president sebutinde and one judge. against, vice president sebutinde and onejudge. by 13 against, vice president sebutinde

and one judge. by 13 votes to two, maintain _ and one judge. by 13 votes to two, maintain open the rafah crossing for unhindered _ maintain open the rafah crossing for unhindered provision at scale of urgently— unhindered provision at scale of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance. in favour, president— humanitarian assistance. in favour, president and judges abraham, yusuf, xue, charlesworth, brant, gomez robiedo. — xue, charlesworth, brant, gomez robledo, cleveland. against vice president — robledo, cleveland. against vice president sebutinde and one judge. by president sebutinde and one judge. by 13 votes to two, take effective measures — by 13 votes to two, take effective measures to ensure the unimpeded access— measures to ensure the unimpeded access to _ measures to ensure the unimpeded access to the gaza strip of any commission of inquiry, fact—finding mission _ commission of inquiry, fact—finding mission or— commission of inquiry, fact—finding mission or other investigative body mandated — mission or other investigative body mandated by competent organs of the united _ mandated by competent organs of the united nations to investigate allegations of genocide.

against, vice president sebutinde and onejudge. three, by 13 votes to and one judge. three, by 13 votes to two decides — and one judge. three, by 13 votes to two decides that the state of israel shall submit a report to the court on all— shall submit a report to the court on all measures taken to give effect to this _ on all measures taken to give effect to this order within one month as from _ to this order within one month as from the — to this order within one month as from the date of this order, in favour— from the date of this order, in favour president salam, tomka, abraham. — favour president salam, tomka, abraham, yusuf,

i , i will now call on the operative to read — , i will now call on the operative to read that in french. studio: so there we are, we have heard the ruling from the international court of justice, heard the ruling from the international court ofjustice, the un�*s world called, by 13—2. it has ordered israel to halt its rafah military offensive, it has ordered israel to open the crossing for humanitarian assistance, it has said that israel needs to ensure access for investigators, and it has said that the current situation in gaza

and rafah entails further risks to the irreparable damage to the rights of the people of gaza, and it also said that the situation in gaza has now deteriorated, it is now disastrous, and it is not convinced that the evacuation of rafah and other measures taken by israel are enough to alleviate the suffering of the palestinians. so that is the ruling by 13—2, delivered byjudge nawaf salam. we can go back to our correspondent in the palace where the court sits, anna holligan, give us your sense of this ruling and what it means. it us your sense of this ruling and what it means.— us your sense of this ruling and what it means. it goes a lot further than many — what it means. it goes a lot further than many peeple _ what it means. it goes a lot further than many people were _ what it means. it goes a lot further than many people were expecting i than many people were expecting here. you can see the people milling around behind me, iam in a room just underneath the great hall of justice, where the presiding judge, nawaf salam, was reading out that provisional measure. you can see on

the screen behind me, they are still going through the details in french. sojust to take going through the details in french. so just to take some of the heat out of this and go through exactly what the un�*s highest court has ordered here, i�*vejust been handed a summary of the ruling. israel must immediately halt its military offensive and any other acts that could result in conditions of life that may bring about the physical destruction, in whole or part, of the palestinian people in gaza. israel must maintain and open the rafah border crossing for unhindered provision and scale of essential services and humanitarian assistance. israel must take effective measures to ensure unimpeded access for any fact—finding mission or investigators mandated by the un to investigate allegations of genocide. and israel must report back to this court, the international court of

justice, within one month on how it is implementing these provisional measures order. ben, you alluded to it there, a real indictment from the judges, and we should say on most of these provisional measures, the judges voted 13—2, so the ad hoc judge, the israeli ad hocjudge and one other where the only two which raised dissenting opinions to these decisions, but the real concern among the panel of international judges here is that they are not convinced, they said, that the evacuation efforts and related measures that israel affirms to have undertaken to enhance the security of civilians in the gaza strip, and in particular there was recently displaced from rafah, are sufficient to alleviate the immense risk to which the palestinian population is exposed as a result of the military operation in rafah. so the hearing

is coming to an end now, just to remind you, the international court ofjustice�*s rulings are binding, but it doesn�*t have any enforcement mechanisms, so it is up to member states, including israel, to comply. and just at the end of the hearing there, we should mention the judges also called for all of the remaining hostages taken by hamas on october the 7th to be released. band. hostages taken by hamas on october the 7th to be released.— the 7th to be released. and, anna, 'ust from the 7th to be released. and, anna, just from what _ the 7th to be released. and, anna, just from what the _ the 7th to be released. and, anna, just from what the president - the 7th to be released. and, anna, just from what the president of - the 7th to be released. and, anna, just from what the president of the court was saying, 13—2, this was pretty overwhelming, the decision, it wasn�*t a narrow majority, it was a big majority. it wasn't a narrow ma'ority, it was a big majorityh it wasn't a narrow ma'ority, it was a big majority. a big ma'ority. absolutely, and all bad two a big majority. absolutely, and all had two voting — a big majority. absolutely, and all bad two voting in _ a big majority. absolutely, and all bad two voting in favour. - a big majority. absolutely, and all bad two voting in favour. it - bad two voting in favour. it reflects a shift, because we knew already that half of these judges were in favour of calling a ceasefire, and just in the last couple of weeks since south africa

returned to the court, saying that the existing provisional measures were not being followed, and therefore, as the judges were not being followed, and therefore, as thejudges have were not being followed, and therefore, as the judges have said, therefore, as the judges have said, there is a need for modification of those existing provisional measures and emergency injunction is ordered by this court. that is the majority of the judges agreeing that this is nowt necessary to stop the situation from deteriorating further. and just to go back to why we are here in the first place, south africa brought this case to the international court ofjustice, accusing israel of of justice, accusing israel of violating ofjustice, accusing israel of violating the genocide convention and saying that the rights of palestinians to protection under that convention were at risk of being subjected to irreparable harm. this is not a ruling on the wider merits of that case, so the overall case brought by south africa. this is a decision on the provisional measures, that south africa argued was needed, and urgent intervention

by the court to ensure that there is no further deterioration to the situation in gaza, and to ensure that after the conflict is over, there is an opportunity, a chance to rebuild palestinian life on the, in the gaza strip. sojust rebuild palestinian life on the, in the gaza strip. so just remind you again of those measures, ordered by the court here in the hague, israel must immediately halt its military offensive and any other acts designed or at risk of bringing about conditions of life that could result in the physical destruction, in whole or part, of palestinians in gaza. israel must maintain the rafah border crossing open for the provision at a scale of essential services and humanitarian assistance. israel must take effective measures to ensure unimpeded access to any fact—finding mission or investigators mandated by the un to investigate allegations of genocide, and israel must report

back to the icj, the un�*s highest court, within one month to say how these provisional measures are being implemented. that is the situation here in the hague, thejudges�* order, you can see the people milling behind us, we are expecting a statement from the south african delegation later on today at some point. delegation later on today at some oint. �* . delegation later on today at some oint. . ., ., ., ., ,, delegation later on today at some oint, �* ., ., ., ., ~' a, delegation later on today at some oint, �* ., ., ., ., ~' y., , point. anna holligan, thank you very much for all — point. anna holligan, thank you very much for all of _ point. anna holligan, thank you very much for all of that _ point. anna holligan, thank you very much for all of that comprehensive l much for all of that comprehensive analysis of thatjudgment much for all of that comprehensive analysis of that judgment from much for all of that comprehensive analysis of thatjudgment from the world court. straight tojerusalem, where we can talk to diplomatic correspondent paul adams, who is there. i don�*t know if there has been any reaction from the israeli government, but the decision from the court is pretty overwhelming, pretty decisive, by 13 votes to two, demanding an end to the rafah offensive and telling israel, you know, a whole string of things it has to do. know, a whole string of things it has to de—

has to do. yeah, reaffirming the measures _ has to do. yeah, reaffirming the measures that _ has to do. yeah, reaffirming the measures that it _ has to do. yeah, reaffirming the measures that it issued - has to do. yeah, reaffirming the measures that it issued earlier l has to do. yeah, reaffirming the i measures that it issued earlier this year and adding that crucial one for the first time, calling on israel to halt that rafah offensive. this was the measure that was anticipated, with some debate as to whether the court would finally take that additional step. court would finally take that additionalstep. no court would finally take that additional step. no official reaction from the government so far, it is due to discuss the ruling later today. there is a reaction from the hardline finance minister, itamar ben—gvir, who has called it a relevant, and he has dismissed the court is anti—semitic — these are the remarks you would expect to hear from his more hardline colleagues. but when it comes to the order to halt the rafah offensive, i think we can expect a big fat no from the government here, and i think they will probably complain that the court, in coming to its conclusions,

only cited what the un had told them about the situation in southern gaza. the israelis have been arguing for some time that they are taking steps, notwithstanding their military operations in gaza, that they are taking steps to improve the provision of food and goods into the gaza strip. it is very noticeable, for example, that for the three weeks or so after may the 7th, when the order to launch the offensive in rafah began, only about 140 trucks of un aid entered through the most important crossing point from israel. but, and this was something the court did not refer to, hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of tracts of commercial foodstuffs have gone into that very same route, allowed into that very same route, allowed in by israel, escorted by armed

guards inside the gaza strip and taken into the marketplace in gaza. there is food to be had in places, a lot of gazans cannot afford it, but that was an element of israel�*s response to this situation in gaza that the court simply didn�*t allude to. they also obviously did not allude to israel�*s military rationale for attacking gaza, the complete dismantling of the last remaining battalions of hamas and the importance, israel would say, of securing the border between gaza and egypt to prevent the smuggling of weapons which could lead to a future conflict. now, all of this was not referred to by the court, the court obviously feels that in excess of 800,000 people, probably closer to1 million now, that it is evidence of the increased risk to life and

wellbeing of a huge proportion of the palestinian population of the gaza strip, but that was enough to persuade those judges who had not been persuaded so far to say enough is enough, this operation has to stop. is enough, this operation has to sto -. . is enough, this operation has to sto. ., ~ ., , , is enough, this operation has to sto. ., , , ., stop. 0k, pauladams, 'ust to reiterate. fl stop. 0k, pauladams, 'ust to reiterate, the i stop. 0k, pauladams, just to reiterate, the international. stop. 0k, paul adams, just to i reiterate, the international court ofjustice, the un�*s top court, has ordered israel to halt its rougher military offensive. you are watching bbc news. i am geeta guru—murthy, bring a new continuing coverage from the bbc here in the uk, a very busy day, and we will be updating you on the uk election coverage in the coming hours. and of course keeping you across events from the icj on israel with that ruling, israel ordered to halt that military operation in rafah. we are also across the very important hearing on

the post office, where the former chief executive of the post office, paula vennells, has been facing some very tough questions from a barrister representing a number of the sub—postmasters at the inquiry. edward henry casey told her that she was, as he put it, living in a cloud of denial. it has been a very, very interesting and important few days of evidence, let�*s listen now. served a term of imprisonment when she was a 47—year—old mother of two and it children were teenagers. noel thomas was a long—standing local council in north while is and spent his 60th birthday in prison. —— in north wales. they had all been subject to public censure and humiliation. and you�*ve had a taste of that now, haven�*t you? in recent

times? and it�*s not very nice, is it? and if somebody were to say to you, you appear to have a bit of a lifestyle difficulty at the moment, might you consider that that could be viewed as slightly ironic or sarcastic? it be viewed as slightly ironic or sarcastic?— sarcastic? it was, as i said, i listened _ sarcastic? it was, as i said, i listened to — sarcastic? it was, as i said, i listened to the _ sarcastic? it was, as i said, i listened to the interview - sarcastic? it was, as i said, i listened to the interview and sarcastic? it was, as i said, i- listened to the interview and i... it listened to the interview and i... it was _ listened to the interview and i... it wasjust— listened to the interview and i... it wasjust completely listened to the interview and i... it was just completely the wrong word~ _ it was 'ust completely the wrong word. . . , it was 'ust completely the wrong word. ., , , ., word. the inability to find employment. _ word. the inability to find employment, many - word. the inability to find employment, many were| word. the inability to find - employment, many were going bankrupt, we saw the break—up of families, there were serious mental health problems, and in at least one case a person was driven to take his own life. it was crass and insensitive, wasn�*t it? it own life. it was crass and insensitive, wasn't it? it was, absolutely- — insensitive, wasn't it? it was, absolutely. did _ insensitive, wasn't it? it was, absolutely. did you _ insensitive, wasn't it? it was, absolutely. did you speak - insensitive, wasn't it? it was, absolutely. did you speak to l insensitive, wasn't it? it was, l absolutely. did you speak to mr davies about _ absolutely. did you speak to mr davies about it? _ absolutely. did you speak to mr davies about it? yes, _ absolutely. did you speak to mr davies about it? yes, i- absolutely. did you speak to mr

davies about it? yes, i did. - absolutely. did you speak to mrj davies about it? yes, i did. and from what _ davies about it? yes, i did. and from what you _ davies about it? yes, i did. and from what you have _ davies about it? yes, i did. and from what you have said, - davies about it? yes, i did. and from what you have said, it - davies about it? yes, i did. and from what you have said, it is l davies about it? yes, i did. and i from what you have said, it is not something you would have said? he. something you would have said? no, and marcus said it, i don't believe he intended the woods to come out either. _ he intended the woods to come out either. he — he intended the woods to come out either, he must have been searching for something else, and i know how it feels. _ for something else, and i know how it feels, under high pressure, you don't _ it feels, under high pressure, you don't always find the right words. but i _ don't always find the right words. but i did — don't always find the right words. but i did speak to him about it. can i ask ou, but i did speak to him about it. i ask you, mrs but i did speak to him about it. can i ask you, mrs vennells, why wouldn�*t you have said what he said? i am sorry? wouldn't you have said what he said? i am sor ? ., wouldn't you have said what he said? i am sorry?— i am sorry? you wouldn't have said that, i am sorry? you wouldn't have said that. yeah? _ i am sorry? you wouldn't have said that, yeah? what _ i am sorry? you wouldn't have said that, yeah? what he _ i am sorry? you wouldn't have said that, yeah? what he said, - i am sorry? you wouldn't have said that, yeah? what he said, you - that, yeah? what he said, you wouldn�*t have said. he that, yeah? what he said, you wouldn't have said.— that, yeah? what he said, you wouldn't have said. he didn't intend to sa it wouldn't have said. he didn't intend to say it either. _ wouldn't have said. he didn't intend to say it either. just _ wouldn't have said. he didn't intend to say it either. just please - to say it either. just please exlain to say it either. just please explain why _ to say it either. just please explain why it _ to say it either. just please explain why it was - to say it either. just please explain why it was that - to say it either. just please explain why it was that you to say it either. just please - explain why it was that you would never say that. it may be obvious that it never say that. it may be obvious thatitis never say that. it may be obvious that it is insensitive, awful, it should never be said. why is it that you wouldn�*t say that? for should never be said. why is it that you wouldn't say that?— you wouldn't say that? for the reason that — you wouldn't say that? for the reason that i'm _ you wouldn't say that? for the reason that i'm here _ you wouldn't say that? for the reason that i'm here today, i you wouldn't say that? for the - reason that i'm here today, because people's— reason that i'm here today, because people's lives have been absolutely devastated. gk.

people's lives have been absolutely devastated. ~ . people's lives have been absolutely devastated. . ., ., , devastated. 0k. what he said, was that not devastated. 0k. what he said, was that rrot just _ devastated. 0k. what he said, was that notjust reflective _ devastated. 0k. what he said, was that notjust reflective of _ devastated. 0k. what he said, was that notjust reflective of the - that notjust reflective of the dismissive attitude that post office had two campaigning postmasters at this time? i had two campaigning postmasters at this time? ., �* , ., this time? i don't believe so, no. i can understand _ this time? i don't believe so, no. i can understand why _ this time? i don't believe so, no. i can understand why people - this time? i don't believe so, no. i can understand why people would | can understand why people would think— can understand why people would think that, and i regret hugely that we are _ think that, and i regret hugely that we are where we are today. and was that not we are where we are today. and was that rrot really _ we are where we are today. and was that not really a _ we are where we are today. and was that not really a dismissive - that not really a dismissive attitude that you fostered and encouraged, mrs vennells? trio. can we encouraged, mrs vennells? no. can we fast forward, please, and look at 10.0010986.

and this is eight days, if we go down, please, if that was the 9th of december 2014 that mr davies said what he said on the today programme, this is december the 17th, sojust some eight days later. eight days after you have said, you should never have said that, this is 9:45pm in the evening, and it is an e—mail from you, mrs vennells, to mark davies, gavin lambert and patrick baulk, copying in the chair. and it reads, and i will read all of it,... i�*vejust seen, well, i managed to catch the one show on iplayer. not denying the fact that it is unhelpfully inaccurate, especially the focus on horizon, but mark has achieved a balance of reporting beyond anything i could have hoped

for, statements stamped across the screen with the post office sign is really powerful, it came across very well. the rest was hype, not easy for me to be objective but i was more bored than outrage. the mp quoted, who, was full of bluster and inaccurate. joe hamilton lacked passion and admitted false accounting on tv. james arbuthnot was nowhere to be seen. the bulletin was nowhere to be seen. the bulletin was too long. what i thought was helpful was that it presented horizon is the problem, which is exactly what second sight say they have not found, so easy for us to refute. there is nothing about intimidation and a message about not knowing how to use the system made the sub—postmasters look inadequate. belt and braces, forgive me, can we find out how the sub—postmaster thinks you are about to go after him for 18000 and why he thinks we haven�*t been in touch? that sounds

like a live issue, not one in the scheme? my sincere thanks to all of you, i had an e—mail tonight from richard c, saying how much you had helped, that we could have done nothing more and he was sorry the debate had not gone better. was that richard callard? he was a nonexecutive director of the post office at the time? that nonexecutive director of the post office at the time?— office at the time? that is right. wh was office at the time? that is right. why was he _ office at the time? that is right. why was he taking _ office at the time? that is right. why was he taking such - office at the time? that is right. why was he taking such an - office at the time? that is right. | why was he taking such an active interest in this? he why was he taking such an active interest in this?— interest in this? he was the nonexecutive _ interest in this? he was the nonexecutive director - interest in this? he was the | nonexecutive director and... interest in this? he was the - nonexecutive director and... as we have _ nonexecutive director and... as we have seen. — nonexecutive director and... as we have seen, and they were following the work _ have seen, and they were following the work that we were doing through the work that we were doing through the complaint and mediation scheme. where _ the complaint and mediation scheme. where they— the complaint and mediation scheme. where they pulling in the same direction on this? i�*m where they pulling in the same direction on this?— where they pulling in the same direction on this? i'm sorry, i'm not sure direction on this? i'm sorry, i'm rrot sure i— direction on this? i'm sorry, i'm not sure i understand _ direction on this? i'm sorry, i'm not sure i understand the - direction on this? i'm sorry, i'm - not sure i understand the question. were _ not sure i understand the question. were they— not sure i understand the question. were they pulling in the same

direction _ were they pulling in the same direction in terms of these irritating _ direction in terms of these irritating campaigning postmasters? at this _ irritating campaigning postmasters? at this stage, they work that had gone on through the scheme was showing gone on through the scheme was showin: . gone on through the scheme was showin. ., ., gone on through the scheme was showina . ., , , , gone on through the scheme was showin. ., ., , , , ., gone on through the scheme was showin. ., ., ,, , ., , showing that no issues had been found. reporting _ showing that no issues had been found. reporting what _ showing that no issues had been found. reporting what was - showing that no issues had been | found. reporting what was being showing that no issues had been - found. reporting what was being set b the found. reporting what was being set by the postmasters, _ found. reporting what was being set by the postmasters, the _ found. reporting what was being set by the postmasters, the words - found. reporting what was being set by the postmasters, the words you l by the postmasters, the words you use was refute. i by the postmasters, the words you use was refute.— use was refute. i guess you would have to ask _ use was refute. i guess you would have to ask richard, _ use was refute. i guess you would have to ask richard, presumably i use was refute. i guess you would | have to ask richard, presumably if that was— have to ask richard, presumably if that was what he said, then his view was similar— that was what he said, then his view was similar to that was what he said, then his view was similarto mine that was what he said, then his view was similar to mine at the time. what _ was similar to mine at the time. what impression did you gain from him? what impression did you gain of what richard callard a�*s view was at this time? i what richard callard a's view was at this time? ~ ., , this time? i think he was commenting on the concerns _ this time? i think he was commenting on the concerns that _ this time? i think he was commenting on the concerns that the _ this time? i think he was commenting on the concerns that the programme i on the concerns that the programme was going _ on the concerns that the programme was going to present issues which the post— was going to present issues which the post office and shex felt were not going — the post office and shex felt were not going to be represented in a

particularly well— balanced way. but i particularly well— balanced way. but i can't _ particularly well— balanced way. but i can't recall anything more than is here ican't recall anything more than is here in— i can't recall anything more than is here in the — i can't recall anything more than is here in the document. what i would like to— here in the document. what i would like to say— here in the document. what i would like to say is— here in the document. what i would like to say is that i am very sorry. we will— like to say is that i am very sorry. we will come to your apology. if we could go to the witness statement from mrs vennells, please. page 481, paragraph 1120, i�*m sorry to the document managerfor paragraph 1120, i�*m sorry to the document manager for reading paragraph 1120, i�*m sorry to the document managerfor reading out paragraph 1120, i�*m sorry to the document manager for reading out so much information, page 481, paragraph 1120.

oh, i 0h, iam oh, i am sorry, it is not 481, it is... but it is 1120, there we go. 0ne matter about which i have not been asked in the request, but which i want to address head—on, is an e—mail which i sent to senior colleagues on the 17th of december 2014 after the one show documentary aired that evening. i describe the reporting as unhelpful and inaccurate, i thoroughly regret saying i was more bored than outrage that the programme, there is no excuse for what i wrote and i am embarrassed by the words are used. those words do not reflect the example i want to set for my colleagues on my attitude to the issues we were working on at the time. i was working hard to find a way through the difficulties of dealing with what seemed like such an imperative but intractable problem to solve, it got the better of me that evening, i am sorry. so the remarks that you have expressed regret about, explicitly, the first

is, i was more bored than outraged. you regret that mark, mrs vennells? i regret everything i said. thatjoe hamilton lacked passion and admitted false accounting? and mp, who, bluster and so on, you regret that? i regret everything i wrote. you re . ret i regret everything i wrote. you regret those — i regret everything i wrote. gm. regret those remarks just seven days before christmas in 2014, at only eight days after mark davies had said that appalling thing about lifestyle difficulties and lifestyle problems that you really were very upset about, only eight days after that, you regret those remarks, but did you regret, on the 17th of december, did you regret those remarks the following day, on the 18th of december? 0r remarks the following day, on the 18th of december? or is it, in fact,

that they were a triumph and list remarks and you regret them now because you are here? filth. remarks and you regret them now because you are here?— because you are here? oh, i completely _ because you are here? oh, i completely agree. _ because you are here? oh, i completely agree. i- because you are here? oh, i i completely agree. i completely because you are here? oh, i - completely agree. i completely agree that the _ completely agree. i completely agree that the pressure we were under at the time _ that the pressure we were under at the time to— that the pressure we were under at the time to try to manage what we genuinely— the time to try to manage what we genuinely felt was an imbalance of media _ genuinely felt was an imbalance of media coverage and representation about— media coverage and representation about what was happening in the post office. _ about what was happening in the post office. and _ about what was happening in the post office, and i think, under pressure, i office, and i think, under pressure, i and _ office, and i think, under pressure, i and other— office, and i think, under pressure, i and other colleagues... i genuinely think mark davies, that was a _ genuinely think mark davies, that was a slip— genuinely think mark davies, that was a slip of a word. i have no excuse — was a slip of a word. i have no excuse for— was a slip of a word. i have no excuse for what i wrote, other than that i_ excuse for what i wrote, other than that i was— excuse for what i wrote, other than that i was under pressure and i think— that i was under pressure and i think i— that i was under pressure and i think i was— that i was under pressure and i think i was relieved that the programme hadn't been perhaps as bad or hard _ programme hadn't been perhaps as bad or hard hitting as i had expected it to be _ or hard hitting as i had expected it to be and — or hard hitting as i had expected it to be. and i'mjust or hard hitting as i had expected it to be. and i'm just hugely sorry, it was a _ to be. and i'm just hugely sorry, it was a terrible thing to write. it was a terrible thing to write. [it was a terrible thing to write. it was triumphalist, wasn't it? i

was a terrible thing to write. it. was triumphalist, wasn't it? i was very relieved _ was triumphalist, wasn't it? i was very relieved that _ was triumphalist, wasn't it? i was very relieved that it _ was triumphalist, wasn't it? i was very relieved that it perhaps - was triumphalist, wasn't it? i was very relieved that it perhaps wasn't as bad _ very relieved that it perhaps wasn't as bad as _ very relieved that it perhaps wasn't as bad as it— very relieved that it perhaps wasn't as bad as it could have been. and i'm as bad as it could have been. and i'm sorry. — as bad as it could have been. and i'm sorry, there is simply no excuse. _ i'm sorry, there is simply no excuse, because it wouldn't matter, would _ excuse, because it wouldn't matter, would it. _ excuse, because it wouldn't matter, would it, how bad it had been, because — would it, how bad it had been, because we were wrong? and i apologised early on to misses hamilton about not having known about _ hamilton about not having known about your prosecution file and the details _ about your prosecution file and the details we — about your prosecution file and the details we had of that earlier, i didn't— details we had of that earlier, i didn't know that at the time, and i am deeply— didn't know that at the time, and i am deeply sorry that i was so rude to you _ am deeply sorry that i was so rude to you in _ am deeply sorry that i was so rude to you in that e—mail. am deeply sorry that i was so rude to you in that e-mail._ am deeply sorry that i was so rude to you in that e-mail. what it went on to say. — to you in that e-mail. what it went on to say. those — to you in that e-mail. what it went on to say, those words _ to you in that e-mail. what it went on to say, those words do - to you in that e-mail. what it went on to say, those words do not - on to say, those words do not reflect the example i hope to settle my colleagues know the attitudes to theissues my colleagues know the attitudes to the issues we were working on at the time. what words didn�*t reflect the example... studio: paula vennells of the post office giving evidence, we will keep across that for you in the coming hours, but were just going to quickly take a pause and catch up

with the weather with ben rich. hello. the heavy and persistent rain of the last few days has been easing. the cloud is starting to break up. there�*s a little bit of sunshine out there for some of us this afternoon and i think we will see more of that through this coming bank hliday weekend. it�*s going to feel warm in the sunshine, but there will also be some really heavy and perhaps thundery downpours, but through the rest of today still quite a lot of cloud around for many areas, but that tending to thin and break. the thickest of the cloud across northern ireland, south west scotland — still producing some spits and spots of rain. the best of the sunshine across southern england into south wales. here just the odd shower and highs of around 19 degrees. through this evening and tonight the cloud should continue to break up. i think across northern ireland, parts of south—west scotland that cloud will be quite stubborn, but elsewhere some clear spells developing, perhaps some mist and fog patches through the early part of saturday. temperatures for some, particularly out in the countryside across parts of wales, southern england, will get pretty low, down to around three or four degrees. so it could be quite a chilly start

to saturday morning, some mist and fog patches. a bright start for many, but a couple of weather systems. this one creeping in from the east is going to bring more cloud and perhaps some showery rain across east anglia and then maybe fringing into other eastern counties of england. another weather system pushing in from the west, that will bring rain into the south—west of england by the end of the afternoon. in between, a slice of sunshine with just one or two showers and temperatures in northern scotland and also south—east england could get up to 20 or 21 degrees. on saturday evening this little weather system will continue to bring rain across some parts of northern and eastern england, into southern scotland. this one bringing rain into wales and northern ireland. as these two different weather systems just continue to rotate across the uk on sunday, what we really end up with is a day of sunny spells and showers, but some of those showers will be really heavy, slow moving, could dump a lot of rain in a short space of time and there could be some thunder and lightning thrown in, particularly across england and wales. in the sunny spots between the showers still feeling relatively warm. for bank holiday monday,

still sunshine and showers, but this time the heaviest showers likely to be across eastern and northern england and into the eastern side of scotland. not as many showers further south and west. temperatures around 17 degrees.

derailed laddie live from london, this is bbc news. the un�*s top court orders israel to immediately stop its military offensive in gaza and says hamas must immediately and unconditionally release hostages. a sprint start to a six—week marathon. political leaders dash across the uk, campaigning for the 4thjuly election. meanwhile, the former labour leader jeremy corbyn says he�*ll stand as an independent candidate against his own party in his north london constituency. also this hour — ex—post office boss paula vennells is giving a final day of evidence to the it scandal

inquiry — as hundreds of former sub—postmasters are having their wrongful convictions quashed. hello, i�*m geeta guru—murthy. we begin in the hague wherejudges from the international court ofjustice — that�*s the united nations top court, has ruled the israel must immediately halt its military offensive and other actions in rafah, citing the "immediate risk" to the palestinian people, and also says hamas must immediately and unconditionally release hostages. let�*s listen to what the judge, who was speaking in the last half an hour, had to say. the court recalls that in accordance with article 75, paragraph two of its rules, when a request for the indication of provisional measures has been made, it has the power under a statute to indicate measures

that are not in whole or in part, other than those requested. in the present case, having considered the terms of the provisional measures, requested by south africa, and the circumstances of the case, the court finds that the measures indicated need not be identical to those requested. the court considered that in conformity with the obligations under the genocide convention israel must immediately halt its military offensive, and any other action in the rafah governorate which may inflict on the palestinian group in gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part. the court recalls that in its order of 26th of january, 2024, 26th ofjanuary, 2024, it 26th of january, 2024, it ordered israel, and i quote, to take effective measures to prevent the

destruction and ensure the preservation of evidence related to allegations of acts within the scope of article two and article three of the genocide convention, end of quote. in the present circumstances the court is also of the view in order to preserve evidence related to allegations of acts falling within the scope of article two and article three of the genocide convention, israel must take effective measures to ensure the unimpeded access to the gaza strip of any commission of inquiry, fact—finding mission, or whatever investigative body mandated by competent organs of the united nations to investigate allegations of genocide. the nations to investigate allegations of genocide-— of genocide. the 'udge, the icj. just to give _ of genocide. the 'udge, the icj. just to give you_ of genocide. thejudge, the icj. just to give you some _ of genocide. thejudge, the icj. just to give you some initial- just to give you some initial responses, david merson, spokesperson for the israeli government has said there is no power in the world that will push us

to commit a public suicide because that�*s what this is, to stop our war against hamas. that�*s repeating the consistent line we have heard from the israeli government who i think our meeting now. there was a call for mr netanyahu to meet his top ministers. and hamas, is reported by the reuters news agency, has said that they welcome the icj plan to send the investigation committee into gaza. they say they would promise any cooperation that they can give. and they have said they welcomed the decision on rafah saying it doesn�*t go far enough, it is urging an end for israel�*s offensive in all of gaza and looking at whether the security council will now look to implement this ruling. let�*s get more from our diplomatic correspondent who is injerusalem. he told us more about the immediate reaction in israel. if he told us more about the immediate reaction in israel.— reaction in israel. if this was the measure that _ reaction in israel. if this was the measure that was _ reaction in israel. if this was the measure that was anticipated, l reaction in israel. if this was the i measure that was anticipated, with some debate as to whether or not the court would finally take that

additional step. court would finally take that additionalstep. no court would finally take that additional step. no official reaction from the government so far it, it is due to discuss the ruling later today. there is a reaction from the hardline finance minister, itamar ben—gvir, has called it a relevant, dismissed the court as anti—semitic. these are the sorts of remarks you would expect to hear from some of mr netanyahu at�*s more hardline colleagues. but when it comes to the order to halt the rafah offensive, i think we can expect a big fat no from the government here, and i think they would probably complain that the court, in coming to its conclusions, only cited what the un had told them about the situation in southern gaza. the israelis had been arguing for some time that they are taking steps, notwithstanding their military operation in gaza, taking steps to

improve the provision of food and goods into the gaza strip. it is very noticeable mr for example, goods into the gaza strip. it is very noticeable mrfor example, that for the three weeks or so after the 7th of may when the order to launch the offensive in rafah began, only about 140 trucks of un aid entered through the kerem shalom crossing, the most important crossing point from israel. but, and this was something the court did not refer to, hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of trucks of commercial foodstuffs have gone in through that very same route, allowed in by israel, escorted by armed guards inside the gaza strip, and taken into the marketplace in gaza. there is food to be had in places. a lot of gazans can�*t afford it, but that was an element of israel�*s response to the situation in gaza, that the

court simply didn�*t allude to. they also obviously did not allude to israel�*s military rationale for attacking gaza, the complete dismantling of the last remaining battalions of hamas. and the importance, israel would say, of securing the border between gaza and egypt to prevent the smuggling of weapons which could lead to a future conflict. all of this was not referred to by the court. the court obviously feels that in excess of 800,000 people, we think it is closer to a million by now, is evidence of the increased risk to life and well—being of a huge proportion of the palestinian population of the gaza strip. and that was enough to persuade those judges who had not been persuaded so far to say enough is enough, this operation has to stop. paul adams s-teakin operation has to stop. paul adams speaking to _ operation has to stop. paul adams speaking to us _ operation has to stop. paul adams speaking to us a — operation has to stop. paul adams

speaking to us a bit _ operation has to stop. paul adams speaking to us a bit earlier - operation has to stop. paul adams speaking to us a bit earlier from i speaking to us a bit earlier from jerusalem. just to let you know that since we have spoken to paul, david mensik, spokesperson for the israeli government, did give some reaction to the news to the bbc saying there is no power in the world that will push us to commit a public suicide because that�*s what this is, to stop our war against hamas. we understand the israeli government are meeting, or are going to be meeting soon to discuss this ruling. we have also had reports from writers on hamas reaction. hamas apparently calling on the un security council to implement the icj court ofjustice decision, welcoming the ruling, and welcoming the call for an investigation, and inquiry saying they would co—operate with that. also we have had a response from the palestinian authorities saying they welcomed the decision reported by reuters news agency saying that it represents an international consensus to end the war in the gaza strip, according to a palestinian presidential spokesperson. we will

keep you across all the reaction. we are going to be looking to the us to see what the white house say, whether this has any impact on biden�*s current position of ongoing support for israel. though of course he�*s warned repeatedly the israeli leadership not to go into hamas territory in rafah because of the risk to civilian life. we will keep you across those events. let�*s turn to events in the uk. the party leaders have been out on the election campaign trail. rishi sunak was in belfast — where he challenged the labour leader, sir keir starmer, tojoin him in a series of tv debates. the prime minister used a telegraph column to accuse the labour leader of lacking the "courage" to do so. i have heard this morning that he said he wanted to debate the british people rather than me. i think what the british

people want are answers. answers to the questions about what he would actually do if he became prime minister and how much it is going to cost them in higher taxes. i think those are the answers he should be providing. for my part, i am very happy to debate keir starmer so that i can set out what i want to do for this country, taking bold action, working towards a clear plan and delivering a secure future for everyone. that is the choice at this election. it is either going to be keir starmer or me that is prime minister onjuly 5th and he should want to debate me, i want to debate him. i hope that he takes up the offer. labour had indicated that rather than the six showdowns proposed by the tories, keir starmer would agree to meet rishi sunak on the two broadcasters with the largest audience — the bbc and itv. there will be debates. but you know, i could debate the prime minister once or 100 times. i know what he�*s going to say. he�*s going to stand there and say everything is fine, the cost of living crisis is over, the nhs is brilliant, nobody is struggling. we hear that every week at prime minister�*s questions. we have that debate. and i want to talk directly to voters about what labour is offering and why this

is an election which is all about change. the leader of the liberal democrats ed davey has been on a campaign trail too. he�*s been speaking to voters in eastbourne. it�*s so good to be here in eastbourne because liberal democrats are bringing change to eastbourne and we are bringing change across our country, particularly across the south of england where everybody knows now that if you want to beat the conservatives you vote liberal democrat. and people want the conservatives out. they have made such a mess of our country, on the economy, on the health service, on the environment, on things like sewage, and we are determined to beat as many conservative mps as we possibly can. ed davey there of the liberal democrats. let�*s speak to our political correspondent nick eardley. nick, everyone has been sprang into action this week. the tories of course have the advantage of knowing that they were calling the election,

so able perhaps to organise their events a little bit in advance. where are you at the moment? i know you have been travelling all over already. you have been travelling all over alread . ,, . ' ., , you have been travelling all over alread . ,, ., , ., , ., ., already. staffordshire we are in now and we have — already. staffordshire we are in now and we have been _ already. staffordshire we are in now and we have been all— already. staffordshire we are in now and we have been all around - already. staffordshire we are in now and we have been all around the - already. staffordshire we are in now and we have been all around the ukj and we have been all around the uk with the prime minister over the past 24 hours or so. we started off in england, went to wales, went to scotland and northern ireland and now we are back in staffordshire. i think it�*s been a slightly tricky start to the campaign for the prime minister, though. although he wants to get on the front foot and trying to get on the front foot and trying to set the agenda, news has a habit of getting in the way and there have been a few things that i think are really tricky for mr sunak actually. he had to admit that his rwanda plan wouldn�*t get off the ground before the general election. that has left some conservatives annoyed. he went to wales and asked someone if they were looking forward to the football, even though wales didn�*t qualify for the euros. there is the fact that his smoking ban, that generational promise as he put it for anyone born after 2009 to be

banned from smoking, has not gone through parliament in time, it has fallen through parliament because parliament shuts up today. and then we were just in northern parliament shuts up today. and then we werejust in northern ireland where someone from the local media noticed that he had taken himself to the titanic quarter, and asked him if he was part of a sinking ship. but despite all that, we have just come over on the plane with the prime ministerfrom northern ireland and he did what we call a huddle where he sits around and chat to everybody, it is on the record but off camera. i�*ve got to say he was pretty sprightly. he was telling us he thinks is going to win the general election. i asked he thinks is going to win the general election. iasked him he thinks is going to win the general election. i asked him that specific question, are you going to win? and he said yeah, damn right. he is arguing that he will get out there, he is up for the fight, he likes talking to people and he will do everything he can. he�*s about to arrive here in the next few minutes for another trip at a college in staffordshire. there is a bit of a protest outside which i think is why

he has been slightly delayed. just finally to tell you, on the smoking ban we asked him about that on the plane and he said he was very committed to it. interesting language, i thought. committed to it. interesting language, ithought. very committed to it. interesting language, i thought. very committed means he definitely wants to do it. he didn�*t quite commit, though, to being in the conservative manifesto. remember that that smoking ban was very controversial with some conservatives who thought it was an attack on personal liberty. i conservatives who thought it was an attack on personal liberty.— attack on personal liberty. i guess if ou ask attack on personal liberty. i guess if you ask any _ attack on personal liberty. i guess if you ask any of _ attack on personal liberty. i guess if you ask any of these _ attack on personal liberty. i guess if you ask any of these leaders - if you ask any of these leaders whether they will win, especially the main leaders, they have no option other than to say of course yes. they literally cannot say anything else, can they? there are still, we know, upset and fury in some quarters amongst the tory party because a lot of questions still about why the election is being held now. have you gleaned anything, having spent so much time with the prime minister and his staff? online we have heard all sorts of speculation including the fact that is it because rishi sunak wants to move his children to school in america where the term starts in

august. lhla america where the term starts in autust. ., . ., ., ., ., ., ., august. no chat about california on the tlane. august. no chat about california on the plane- but _ august. no chat about california on the plane. but look, _ august. no chat about california on the plane. but look, there's- the plane. but look, there�*s definitely some nervousness among conservative mps about what is going on. some of them are worried about how much they are trying to get through today before it shuts up for the election. a wash—out period it is called work some bills fall and some get through. absolutely, there are some conservatives really nervous about what is going to happen over the next few weeks. but we are into the campaign proper. everything gets a bit regimented, rishi sunak has been in a very tight schedule and i�*vejust rishi sunak has been in a very tight schedule and i�*ve just been told we need to get out of this room because the prime minister needs to speak to somebody here so i have to leave you for now. we somebody here so i have to leave you for now. ~ , ., somebody here so i have to leave you for now. . , ., ., ~ somebody here so i have to leave you for now. . , ., ., ,. , ., somebody here so i have to leave you for now. . , ., ., ,, ,~. for now. we understand. thank you so much. we for now. we understand. thank you so much- we will— for now. we understand. thank you so much. we will let _ for now. we understand. thank you so much. we will let nick _ for now. we understand. thank you so much. we will let nick eardley - for now. we understand. thank you so much. we will let nick eardley go. - much. we will let nick eardley go. he is being moved on, sadly. i did have another question but i�*m sure we�*ll come back to him a later. let�*s move onto another story today. the former post office boss paula vennells has been accused of living

in la la land being in a cloud of denial about her role in the horizon it scandal. she�*s giving evidence for a third and final day at the public inquiry — on the day that a bill quashing the convictions of more than 800 sub—postmasters is due to come in force. it is part of that wash up process nick mentioned. all laws have to go through as far as parliament can push them through because it�*s the last day before they finally had to end before election. let�*s listen to some of the post office evidence we have been hearing in the last few hours. ., ., , , , ., have been hearing in the last few hours. ., ., , , ., hours. you are responsible for your own downfall. _ hours. you are responsible for your own downfall, aren't _ hours. you are responsible for your own downfall, aren't you? - hours. you are responsible for your own downfall, aren't you? from i hours. you are responsible for your i own downfall, aren't you? from when the court of — own downfall, aren't you? from when the court of appeal _ own downfall, aren't you? from when the court of appeal passed _ own downfall, aren't you? from when the court of appeal passed its - the court of appeal passed its judgment, i lost all the employment that i judgment, i lost all the employment that i have _ judgment, i lost all the employment that i have had, and since that time i that i have had, and since that time i have _ that i have had, and since that time i have only— that i have had, and since that time i have only worked on this inquiry. it i have only worked on this inquiry. it has _ i have only worked on this inquiry. it has been — i have only worked on this inquiry.

it has been really important to me to do— it has been really important to me to do what— it has been really important to me to do what i didn't always unable to do at _ to do what i didn't always unable to do at the _ to do what i didn't always unable to do at the i— to do what i didn't always unable to do at the i was chief executive. and i do at the i was chief executive. and i have _ do at the i was chief executive. and i have worked for the last three years— i have worked for the last three years and — i have worked for the last three years and prioritised this above everything else. for the last year it has— everything else. for the last year it has probably been a full—time 'ob. it has probably been a full—time job and — it has probably been a full—time job and it _ it has probably been a full—time job. and it is my commitment. i have avoided _ job. and it is my commitment. i have avoided talking to the press, perhaps— avoided talking to the press, perhaps to my own detriment, because all the _ perhaps to my own detriment, because all the way— perhaps to my own detriment, because all the way through i have put this first _ all the way through i have put this first l _ all the way through i have put this first. . . all the way through i have put this first. , , ., , ., all the way through i have put this first. , , ., ,~. ., all the way through i have put this first. , , ., . first. i suggest to you that you still continue _ first. i suggest to you that you still continue to _ first. i suggest to you that you still continue to live _ first. i suggest to you that you still continue to live in - first. i suggest to you that you still continue to live in a - first. i suggest to you that you still continue to live in a cloud| first. i suggest to you that you l still continue to live in a cloud of denial. . . still continue to live in a cloud of denial. . , ,., ., . denial. just some of the evidence there. denial. just some of the evidence there- the _ denial. just some of the evidence there. the inquiry _ denial. just some of the evidence there. the inquiry has _ denial. just some of the evidence there. the inquiry hasjust- denial. just some of the evidence l there. the inquiry hasjust wrapped there. the inquiry has just wrapped up there. the inquiry has just wrapped up for the day now. let�*s speak to our correspondent at the inquiry, azadeh moshiri. there has been some extraordinary testimony there today, hasn�*t there? azadeh. l testimony there today, hasn't there? azadeh. ., ., ., ,, ., azadeh. i want to talk about the way that that inquiry _ azadeh. i want to talk about the way that that inquiry just _ azadeh. i want to talk about the way that that inquiry just concluded - that that inquiryjust concluded when a lawyer for the victims, tim maloney, brought up a stunning

e—mail bite paula vennells that she sentin e—mail bite paula vennells that she sent in 2014. it was after a bbc documentary had aired on the one show. it featured stories from sub—postmasters about the way that this scandal had devastated their lives and it also talked about potential problems with the horizon it system. the e—mail she sent is extraordinary. she wrote that she thought it was hype and human interest. she said she was more bored than outraged, and she said jo hamilton, a former sub—postmistress featured in the documentary, was also featured prominently in the itv drama mr bates vs the post office, she described her as lacking passion and that she had admitted to false accounting on live television. listen to how the lawyer tim maloney handled that exchange. i listen to how the lawyer tim maloney handled that exchange.— handled that exchange. i made a mistake here. _ handled that exchange. i made a mistake here. i— handled that exchange. i made a mistake here. i generally - handled that exchange. i made a

mistake here. i generally try - handled that exchange. i made a mistake here. i generally try to i mistake here. i generally try to approach — mistake here. i generally try to approach things by the values that i want the _ approach things by the values that i want the organisation to follow. this is— want the organisation to follow. this is a — want the organisation to follow. this is a terrible example of where i this is a terrible example of where i didn't— this is a terrible example of where i didn't do— this is a terrible example of where i didn't do that. did this is a terrible example of where j didn't do that.— i didn't do that. did the mask slip in this e-mail, _ i didn't do that. did the mask slip in this e-mail, mrs _ i didn't do that. did the mask slip in this e-mail, mrs vennells? - i didn't do that. did the mask slip in this e-mail, mrs vennells? did in this e—mail, mrs vennells? did it? did _ in this e—mail, mrs vennells? did it? did the — in this e—mail, mrs vennells? did it? did the mask— in this e—mail, mrs vennells? did it? did the mask slip? _ in this e—mail, mrs vennells? did it? did the mask slip? [— in this e-mail, mrs vennells? did it? did the mask slip?— it? did the mask slip? i made a mistake in _ it? did the mask slip? i made a mistake in this _ it? did the mask slip? i made a mistake in this e-mail. - it? did the mask slip? i made a mistake in this e-mail. and - it? did the mask slip? i made a mistake in this e-mail. and as l it? did the mask slip? i made a i mistake in this e-mail. and as the reality that — mistake in this e-mail. and as the reality that what _ mistake in this e-mail. and as the reality that what you _ mistake in this e-mail. and as the reality that what you said - mistake in this e-mail. and as the reality that what you said here - reality that what you said here reflected — reality that what you said here reflected the _ reality that what you said here reflected the behind _ reality that what you said here reflected the behind closed i reality that what you said here i reflected the behind closed doors attitude _ reflected the behind closed doors attitude to — reflected the behind closed doors attitude to postmasters? - reflected the behind closed doors attitude to postmasters? n0. - reflected the behind closed doorsl attitude to postmasters? no. this reflected the behind closed doors. attitude to postmasters? no. this is how ou attitude to postmasters? this is how you really felt about attitude to postmasters?- this is how you really felt about them, - attitude to postmasters?- this is| how you really felt about them, they were irritants — how you really felt about them, they were irritants and _ how you really felt about them, they were irritants and it _ how you really felt about them, they were irritants and it was _ how you really felt about them, they were irritants and it was important i were irritants and it was important to refute _ were irritants and it was important to refute what _ were irritants and it was important to refute what they _ were irritants and it was important to refute what they were _ were irritants and it was important to refute what they were saying? i were irritants and it was important i to refute what they were saying? no. and i know to refute what they were saying? no. and i know it — to refute what they were saying? and i know it has been chosen to refute what they were saying? lit, and i know it has been chosen to to refute what they were saying? and i know it has been chosen to be taken _ and i know it has been chosen to be taken a _ and i know it has been chosen to be taken a different way. but my desire to share _ taken a different way. but my desire to share the — taken a different way. but my desire to share the details of the eight cases— to share the details of the eight cases we — to share the details of the eight cases we talked about yesterday was completely genuine. my desire behind setting _ completely genuine. my desire behind setting up— completely genuine. my desire behind setting up the mediation scheme was completely genuine.—

completely genuine. now, there was some booing — completely genuine. now, there was some booing during _ completely genuine. now, there was some booing during that _ completely genuine. now, there was some booing during that exchange . completely genuine. now, there wasj some booing during that exchange in the inquiry room and jo hamilton was sitting right there facing paula vennells. paula vennells apologised to her directly for the comments she had made. that was the key question, was this a mindset that she and other executives had during this scandal and during the alleged cover—up that sub—postmasters say was under her tenure. there are also questions about how she handled the second site report, whether she was trying to keep a lid on the report by these independent forensic investigators in 2013, because of the fact that this was going on the same year as they were preparing for the privatisation of the royal mail group. and as you said earlier, there were biting comments, accusations of her being in a cloud of denial, being in la la land, and simplyjust not understanding how she could have not known about the problems with the horizon it system, as well as not knowing about the

fact that there was a witness, garethjenkins, who had been giving a false statement to the court, evidence that had helped put these sub—postmasters in prison, evidence that had given them convictions. it is for the inquiry chair to decide the veracity of statements we have heard today. fiend the veracity of statements we have heard today-— heard today. and she did become emotional- _ heard today. and she did become emotional- l _ heard today. and she did become emotional. ijust _ heard today. and she did become emotional. ijust wondered, - heard today. and she did become emotional. ijust wondered, i- heard today. and she did become i emotional. ijust wondered, i don't emotional. ijust wondered, i don�*t know whether you have spoken to some of those people who were affected by all this and to have been watching, i saw one person quoted saying they did have some empathy for her. but reading through on the bbc live page, some of the evidence of what has come out, this is going to cause some further upset, surely. yes. and 'ust to some further upset, surely. yes. and just to pick — some further upset, surely. yes. and just to pick op — some further upset, surely. yes. and just to pick up on _ some further upset, surely. yes. and just to pick up on what _ some further upset, surely. yes. and just to pick up on what you _ some further upset, surely. yes. and just to pick up on what you just - just to pick up on what you just said there, that�*s referring to an interview i did with janet skinner. i spoke to her earlier, she is a former sub—postmistress, who went to prison because of the scandal. she

was telling me that on day one she did believe at the time that paula vennells�* tears were genuine and this shows the amount of empathy it takes. she was saying it brought back all these memories of when she was grilled by investigators, grilled by lawyers, that she felt for paula vennells in that moment. but by day three after seeing some of the e—mails that have come up, after hearing some of the responses and also the lack of recollection and also the lack of recollection and straightforward answers in her opinion, she had lost that empathy. her exact words were that empathy has gone over a cliff. it is just a reminder that a lot of these people, these victims here, are reliving the scandal, reliving the consequences that this scandal has had on their lives. it isn�*t an easy process at all. lives. it isn't an easy process at all. . , lives. it isn't an easy process at all. , , , ., ., all. this inquiry is long and complex _ all. this inquiry is long and complex. what _ all. this inquiry is long and complex. what happens i all. this inquiry is long and - complex. what happens next? is all. this inquiry is long and _ complex. what happens next? is that the last we have seen of paula vennells? and is there any further action legally that can be taken against any of the individuals

potentially to blame in this? well, ou are potentially to blame in this? well, you are right _ potentially to blame in this? well, you are right to — potentially to blame in this? well, you are right to point _ potentially to blame in this? well, you are right to point out - potentially to blame in this? well, you are right to point out that - potentially to blame in this? eii you are right to point out that this inquiry is not going to bring about convictions or prosecutions. the post office minister kevin hollinrake has said that he believes once evidence has been established, that people who are responsible for what is seen as the widest miscarriage ofjustice in uk history, should go to prison, whether they are in the post office or outside of the post office. but again that process can only truly begin once the inquiry has concluded. this phase of the inquiry only ends at the end ofjuly, and then there is another phase that is expected to start in september. the metropolitan police have said it is taking into account everything that is going on. but that its own investigation will only start in full once the inquiry has concluded. though there are some potential charges of fraud that are being looked into when it comes to someone like garethjenkins who will appear

in front of the inquiry injune. he is the person who was a fujitsu employee and gave evidence for the post office in court and was found to have made a false statement. so there will be further consequences. but when you speak to a lot of these victims, what they are really looking for is financial redress, they want full and final compensation is what they keep saying. that process is not over. there are still three main schemes that they can go through. just last week, alan bates rejected for the second time his own offer of compensation. he says it was a third of what he had originally asked for, and as for paula vennells, evidence has concluded, the inquiry has the power to compel witnesses, but as far as we know she will not speak again in front of this inquiry. azadeh moshiri, thank you so much for bringing us up to date on an extra ordinary day of evidence. it is worth catching up on the bbc live page if you want some more details

on exactly what has been said in the last few hours. some of the information that has been publicly revealed today. the energy regulator 0fgem has announced that the price cap, the amount paid by a typical household for each unit of energy will go down. at the moment the cap is £1690 per yearfor an will go down. at the moment the cap is £1690 per year for an average home in england, wales and scotland which is two or three people in a two or three bedroom house. from july until the end of september it will now drop to £1568 a year for that same household meaning that an average saving of £122 will be there across the year. our cost of living correspondent colletta smith reports. energy prices are always a hot topic in michel�*s salon. bills energy prices are always a hot topic in michel's salon.— in michel's salon. bills at home have tripled. _ in michel's salon. bills at home have tripled. you _ in michel's salon. bills at home have tripled. you have - in michel's salon. bills at home have tripled. you have no - in michel's salon. bills at home - have tripled. you have no confidence they will come down, not

significantly for you not to have to save, not to have to budget more. my direct debit certainly hasn�*t come down. direct debit certainly hasn't come down. ., ., direct debit certainly hasn't come down. ., .., ., . direct debit certainly hasn't come down. ., ., . , down. today cosmic announcement is the second consecutive _ down. today cosmic announcement is the second consecutive fall _ down. today cosmic announcement is the second consecutive fall in - down. today cosmic announcement is the second consecutive fall in the - the second consecutive fall in the price cap six months. it is the second consecutive fall in the price cap six months.— price cap six months. it is good news we're _ price cap six months. it is good news we're getting _ price cap six months. it is good news we're getting a _ price cap six months. it is good news we're getting a reduction| price cap six months. it is good i news we're getting a reduction in news we�*re getting a reduction in the price cap now but it�*s not the direction of travel, it is expected to tip up in autumn and winter so there is no room for any complacency. you might want the cost of living crisis to be over but it isn�*t and we can expect energy prices to go up again as we get into the end of the year. idistill prices to go up again as we get into the end of the year.— the end of the year. will it make a bit a difference _ the end of the year. will it make a bit a difference if _ the end of the year. will it make a bit a difference if you _ the end of the year. will it make a bit a difference if you are - the end of the year. will it make a bit a difference if you are paying . the end of the year. will it make a bit a difference if you are paying a| bit a difference if you are paying a bit a difference if you are paying a bit less? .,,, , , bit a difference if you are paying a bitless? _ , , ., bit less? possibly, it depends how much it takes _ bit less? possibly, it depends how much it takes off _ bit less? possibly, it depends how much it takes off monthly. - bit less? possibly, it depends how much it takes off monthly. you i bit less? possibly, it depends how i much it takes off monthly. you won't reall feel much it takes off monthly. you won't really feel it. — much it takes off monthly. you won't really feel it, to _ much it takes off monthly. you won't really feel it, to be _ much it takes off monthly. you won't really feel it, to be honest _ much it takes off monthly. you won't really feel it, to be honest with - really feel it, to be honest with you. _ really feel it, to be honest with you. you — really feel it, to be honest with you. you spread _ really feel it, to be honest with you, you spread that— really feel it, to be honest with you, you spread that over- really feel it, to be honest with you, you spread that over a - really feel it, to be honest with i you, you spread that over a year, no. r , . ~' you, you spread that over a year, no. r , ., ~ ., you, you spread that over a year, no. r , ., ~' ., ' . no. anything will make a difference but it's all part _ no. anything will make a difference but it's all part of _ no. anything will make a difference but it's all part of the _ no. anything will make a difference but it's all part of the vast - but it�*s all part of the vast increases we are getting at the moment with everything, notjust energy. but anything would help. the regulator says standing charges should not increase injuly and each unit of electricity will now be 2p cheaper and gas will drop by 0.5 p

per unit. that adds up to an annual saving of £122 for a typical home. today�*s news will be a relief for millions of households who have been struggling to pay their high energy bills. and of course it comes at a time through the summer where most of us expected to spend less on our energy anyway because of the lovely weather we are experiencing! but for a lot of households, they have to have high energy use throughout the whole year. deborah depends on charging her wheelchairs in order to get out and move around her home. the lower ring is still not enough of paying my wheelchair to be charged every day and this time i have had to put my gas and electric bill, energy bill come on my credit card and hopefully pay for it the following month when i will have a bit more money. 50 following month when i will have a bit more money.— bit more money. so summer is slithtl bit more money. so summer is slightly lower _ bit more money. so summer is slightly lower bills _ bit more money. so summer is slightly lower bills for - bit more money. so summer is slightly lower bills for you - bit more money. so summer is. slightly lower bills for you then? bit more money. so summer is i slightly lower bills for you then? a slightly lower bills for you then? little bit, yes, but that is saved up little bit, yes, but that is saved up for the winter bills. you know, i

don�*t have that extra money. i have to then save all that extra money from summer to pay for the winter bills. ., ., j, . ., ., bills. today's reduction will not solve the problems _ bills. today's reduction will not solve the problems for - bills. today's reduction will not solve the problems for those i bills. today's reduction will not - solve the problems for those already struggling with their bills. colletta smith, bbc news, wigan. let�*s catch up with the weather now. hello. the heavy and persistent rain of the last few days has been easing. the cloud is starting to break up. there�*s a little bit of sunshine out there for some of us this afternoon and i think we will see more of that through this coming bank holiday weekend. it�*s going to feel warm in the sunshine, but there will also be some really heavy and perhaps thundery downpours, but through the rest of today still quite a lot of cloud around for many areas, but that tending to thin and break. the thickest of the cloud across northern ireland, south west scotland — still producing some spits and spots of rain. the best of the sunshine across southern england into south wales.

here just the odd shower and highs of around 19 degrees. through this evening and tonight the cloud should continue to break up. i think across northern ireland, parts of south—west scotland that cloud will be quite stubborn, but elsewhere some clear spells developing, perhaps some mist and fog patches through the early part of saturday. temperatures for some, particularly out in the countryside across parts of wales, southern england, will get pretty low, down to around three or four degrees. so it could be quite a chilly start to saturday morning, some mist and fog patches. a bright start for many, but a couple of weather systems. this one creeping in from the east is going to bring more cloud and perhaps some showery rain across east anglia and then maybe fringing into other eastern counties of england. another weather system pushing in from the west, that will bring rain into the south—west of england by the end of the afternoon. in between, a slice of sunshine with just one or two showers and temperatures in northern scotland and also south—east england could get up to 20 or 21 degrees. on saturday evening this little weather system will continue to bring rain across some parts of northern and eastern england, into southern scotland. this one bringing rain into wales

and northern ireland. as these two different weather systems just continue to rotate across the uk on sunday, what we really end up with is a day of sunny spells and showers, but some of those showers will be really heavy, slow moving, could dump a lot of rain in a short space of time and there could be some thunder and lightning thrown in, particularly across england and wales. in the sunny spots between the showers still feeling relatively warm. for bank holiday monday, still sunshine and showers, but this time the heaviest showers likely to be across eastern and northern england and into the eastern side of scotland. not as many showers further south and west. temperatures around 17 degrees.

this is bbc news, the headlines: the un�*s top court orders israel to immediately halt its military offensive in rafah. a sprint start to a six—week marathon. political leaders dash across the uk, campaigning for the 4th ofjuly election. also this hour — ex—post office boss paula vennells finishes giving evidence to the it scandal inquiry.

now it�*s time for your questions answered. it has been a huge week in the political calendar with a general election finally being called for july the 4th. thank you for contacting the bbc with your questions about the uk general election. here to try and answer as many of them as possible is our political correspondent harry farley, ben paxton from the institute for government, and joe twyman from deltapoll, the public opinion consultancy. thanks for being with us. we have added few questions, and we are going to start with ben, a question for you, going to start with ben, a question foryou, because going to start with ben, a question for you, because of because this comes injuly, there is vote, often we have votes in may or potentially

the autumn, july is not common, holiday season for many parts of the uk, and this is a question from lynn, 83, who was asking, how do i vote if i am on holiday? can i apply for a postal vote? that vote ifi am on holiday? can i apply for a postal vote?— for a postal vote? that is a great tuestion, for a postal vote? that is a great question. yeah. _ for a postal vote? that is a great question, yeah, this _ for a postal vote? that is a great question, yeah, this is _ for a postal vote? that is a great question, yeah, this is the - for a postal vote? that is a great question, yeah, this is the 1st i for a postal vote? that is a great question, yeah, this is the 1st of| question, yeah, this is the 1st of july election _ question, yeah, this is the 1st of july election since _ question, yeah, this is the 1st of july election since 1945- question, yeah, this is the 1st of july election since 1945 in - question, yeah, this is the 1st of july election since 1945 in the i question, yeah, this is the 1st of. july election since 1945 in the uk. if july election since 1945 in the uk. if you _ july election since 1945 in the uk. if you are — july election since 1945 in the uk. if you are on— july election since 1945 in the uk. if you are on holiday, _ july election since 1945 in the uk. if you are on holiday, there - july election since 1945 in the uk. if you are on holiday, there are i july election since 1945 in the uk. i if you are on holiday, there are too much _ if you are on holiday, there are too much you _ if you are on holiday, there are too much you can — if you are on holiday, there are too much you can vote, _ if you are on holiday, there are too much you can vote, you _ if you are on holiday, there are too much you can vote, you can - if you are on holiday, there are too much you can vote, you can apply. if you are on holiday, there are too i much you can vote, you can apply for a postal— much you can vote, you can apply for a postal vote — much you can vote, you can apply for a postal vote or— much you can vote, you can apply for a postal vote or get— much you can vote, you can apply for a postal vote or get someone - much you can vote, you can apply for a postal vote or get someone to - much you can vote, you can apply for a postal vote or get someone to votej a postal vote or get someone to vote on your— a postal vote or get someone to vote on your behalf— a postal vote or get someone to vote on your behalf by— a postal vote or get someone to vote on your behalf by proxy. _ a postal vote or get someone to vote on your behalf by proxy. to - a postal vote or get someone to vote on your behalf by proxy. to do - a postal vote or get someone to vote on your behalf by proxy. to do both i on your behalf by proxy. to do both of those _ on your behalf by proxy. to do both of those things. _ on your behalf by proxy. to do both of those things, you _ on your behalf by proxy. to do both of those things, you will _ on your behalf by proxy. to do both of those things, you will need - on your behalf by proxy. to do both of those things, you will need to i of those things, you will need to apply— of those things, you will need to apply before. _ of those things, you will need to apply before. so _ of those things, you will need to apply before, so for _ of those things, you will need to apply before, so for postal- of those things, you will need toi apply before, so for postal votes, you will— apply before, so for postal votes, you will need _ apply before, so for postal votes, you will need to _ apply before, so for postal votes, you will need to apply— apply before, so for postal votes, you will need to apply by- apply before, so for postal votes, you will need to apply by the - apply before, so for postal votes, you will need to apply by the 19thj you will need to apply by the 19th ofjune. _ you will need to apply by the 19th ofjune. and _ you will need to apply by the 19th ofjune. and for— you will need to apply by the 19th ofjune, and for a _ you will need to apply by the 19th ofjune, and for a proxy- you will need to apply by the 19th ofjune, and for a proxy vote, - you will need to apply by the 19th| ofjune, and for a proxy vote, you need _ ofjune, and for a proxy vote, you need to— ofjune, and for a proxy vote, you need to apply _ ofjune, and for a proxy vote, you need to apply by— ofjune, and for a proxy vote, you need to apply by the _ ofjune, and for a proxy vote, you need to apply by the 26th - ofjune, and for a proxy vote, you need to apply by the 26th of- ofjune, and for a proxy vote, you| need to apply by the 26th ofjune, so you _ need to apply by the 26th ofjune, so you need — need to apply by the 26th ofjune, so you need to _ need to apply by the 26th ofjune, so you need to get _ need to apply by the 26th ofjune, so you need to get a _ need to apply by the 26th ofjune, so you need to get a move - need to apply by the 26th ofjune, so you need to get a move on- need to apply by the 26th ofjune, so you need to get a move on if. need to apply by the 26th ofjune, i so you need to get a move on if that is something — so you need to get a move on if that is something you _ so you need to get a move on if that is something you are _ so you need to get a move on if that is something you are planning - so you need to get a move on if that is something you are planning to - so you need to get a move on if that| is something you are planning to do. we are _ is something you are planning to do. we are all— is something you are planning to do. we are all taking _ is something you are planning to do. we are all taking note _ is something you are planning to do. we are all taking note of— is something you are planning to do. we are all taking note of that! - we are all taking note of that! another question, joe, someone has called in to ask, could there be a coalition government? at the moment, there is a huge poll lead for the

labour party, but could we be seeing a coalition government injuly? well, if the last ten years of british politics have taught us anything, it is nothing can be ruled out, but at the moment it is looking unlikely. polling is only ever a snapshot of public opinion at a given time, and the campaign could have a big affect on things and change the story entirely, but as things stand at the moment, it is looking good for labour. they need to gain more than 120 seats at the election, and by historical standards, that is a huge amount. opinions differ on exactly what kind of swing would be needed to achieve that, but at the upper end of the estimates, it is said that a swing of around 12%, in excess of 12% would be required to get a majority ofjust would be required to get a majority of just two. would be required to get a majority ofjust two. by historical standards again, that is a large number. it doesn�*t mean it will not happen, but it is larger than tony blair achieved a 1997, for instance, the

largest in post—war history up to this point by some distance. but in order to get into hung parliaments territory, they only need, it is estimated, a swing of around 4%, which is perfectly reasonable by historical standards, and so i think a hung parliament, though unlikely, could happen, but far more likely, based on the polling we are seeing at the moment, based on the size of the lead and how long the elites have lasted, it is looking like a less likely option. jae have lasted, it is looking like a less likely option. joe campbell it 'ust to less likely option. joe campbell it just to follow _ less likely option. joe campbell it just to follow up _ less likely option. joe campbell it just to follow up on _ less likely option. joe campbell it just to follow up on that, - less likely option. joe campbell it just to follow up on that, has - less likely option. joe campbell it i just to follow up on that, has there been any movement in the last two days since the announcement was made in the rain outside downing street? not only has there not been much movement in the last couple of days, there hasn�*t been much movement for a very long time. the conservatives have been behind in every single published poll since december 2021, and labour have had a double—digit lead since september 2022, so these trends are long lasting, and the gap is large and continues to be so. we

will wait and see the changes during the campaign, but no movement so far. . , the campaign, but no movement so far. ., , , the campaign, but no movement so far. . , , , ., far. harry, let me bring you in with a question — far. harry, let me bring you in with a question linking _ far. harry, let me bring you in with a question linking a _ far. harry, let me bring you in with a question linking a couple - far. harry, let me bring you in with a question linking a couple of - far. harry, let me bring you in with a question linking a couple of our i a question linking a couple of our really big stories here in the uk at the moment, we have got a question asking, will the election delay, parliaments breaking up today, will the election delay compensation for victims of the infected blood scandal and the post office scandal? a lot of political will across the different parties to see those compensations, both for the victims of that post office scheme and the victims of the infected blood scandal, a lot of will across the parties to see those happen. in the last couple of days, we have seen bills that would allow the compensation schemes to go ahead, they have been passed, in what is called a wash up process, where existing bills are rushed through in the last couple of days before parliament finishes setting this evening. so those two bills are

being passed as we speak, i think, possibly in the last few minutes one of them might have just passed as well. so i think the compensation packages will go ahead, legislation to enable them to do so is being passed right now, i think. fiend to enable them to do so is being passed right now, i think. and we know there _ passed right now, i think. and we know there are _ passed right now, i think. and we know there are some _ passed right now, i think. and we know there are some things - passed right now, i think. and we know there are some things in i passed right now, i think. and we | know there are some things in the worship area, harry, some of the bills going through have gone, it represents a huge amount of work by a lot of people, it is quite extraordinary, but we will know by six o�*clock whether they have gone through, is that right? yes. six o'clock whether they have gone through, is that right? yes, roughly around then. _ through, is that right? yes, roughly around then. a _ through, is that right? yes, roughly around then, a lot _ through, is that right? yes, roughly around then, a lot of _ through, is that right? yes, roughly around then, a lot of work, - through, is that right? yes, roughly around then, a lot of work, and - through, is that right? yes, roughly| around then, a lot of work, and also around then, a lot of work, and also a lot of government promises, for example the government promised from the 2019 manifesto to end no evictions for renters, that is the one that stops landlords evicting tenants without having to give a reason, that was promised by the conservatives back in 2019, and the bill to enable that to happen was introduced to the house of commons

more than a year ago, but that will now not go through, that is a victim of that wash up process. and another promise that rishi sunak made was to create the first smoke—free generation, that was legislation to try and gradually phase out smoking, gradually make it illegal for people to smoke. that now will not happen. he says he�*s disappointed that it will not happen, but there is perhaps an indication that it might be something that is in the conservative manifesto, if, of course, the conservatives get back into government onjuly the 4th, but as we have been hearing, that is a big if at this stage.— big if at this stage. ben, one that links to that. _ big if at this stage. ben, one that links to that, a _ big if at this stage. ben, one that links to that, a question - big if at this stage. ben, one that links to that, a question asking . links to that, a question asking what happens to parliament the election. . what happens to parliament the election. , . ., election. yes, so the election was called a coople — election. yes, so the election was called a couple of _ election. yes, so the election was called a couple of days _ election. yes, so the election was called a couple of days ago - election. yes, so the election was called a couple of days ago now i election. yes, so the election was| called a couple of days ago now by the prime — called a couple of days ago now by the prime minister, and we entered that wash _ the prime minister, and we entered that wash up period, as hasjust been _ that wash up period, as hasjust been said — that wash up period, as hasjust been said. just two days this time round. _ been said. just two days this time round, parliament will be prorogued this evening, mps will stop sitting in the _

this evening, mps will stop sitting in the house of commons, and then next thursday parliament will be dissolved, and at that point mps cease _ dissolved, and at that point mps cease to — dissolved, and at that point mps cease to be mps, theyjust become candidates, and there is no mps representing us, the campaign has begun _ representing us, the campaign has begun. that also starts the 25 working — begun. that also starts the 25 working day countdown to polling day itself. _ working day countdown to polling day itself. and _ working day countdown to polling day itself, and that is five weeks, so we have — itself, and that is five weeks, so we have polling day on the 4th of july. _ we have polling day on the 4th of july. then— we have polling day on the 4th of july, then parliament meets a few days later— july, then parliament meets a few days later to get things going again — days later to get things going atain. �* . days later to get things going atain. . , ., ., ., , days later to get things going atain. . , ., ., ., ., again. and 'ust to follow up on that for again. and just to follow up on that for everyone _ again. and just to follow up on that for everyone looking _ again. and just to follow up on that for everyone looking at _ again. and just to follow up on that for everyone looking at the - again. and just to follow up on that | for everyone looking at the summer ahead and the autumn, parliament returns and then were going to normal recess for august and party conferences in september, is that what happens? i conferences in september, is that what happens?— what happens? i don't think we actually have — what happens? i don't think we actually have the _ what happens? i don't think we actually have the final - what happens? i don't think we actually have the final dates i what happens? i don't think we actually have the final dates of| actually have the final dates of when — actually have the final dates of when this is all going to happen, i don't _ when this is all going to happen, i don't think— when this is all going to happen, i don't think the recess dates have been _ don't think the recess dates have been finalised, and we may not know that for— been finalised, and we may not know that for a _ been finalised, and we may not know that for a little bit longer yet. party— that for a little bit longer yet. party conferences, equally, are a bit up _ party conferences, equally, are a bit up in — party conferences, equally, are a bit up in the air at the moment. ok, let's move — bit up in the air at the moment. ok, let's move on _ bit up in the air at the moment. ok, let's move on to _ bit up in the air at the moment. ok let's move on to another question, let�*s move on to another question, joe, if i can ask you, could there be a pact between the conservatives

and reform uk, that question has come into us. and reform uk, that question has come into us— and reform uk, that question has come into us. there could be, but i think a formal— come into us. there could be, but i think a formal pact _ come into us. there could be, but i think a formal pact is _ come into us. there could be, but i think a formal pact is unlikely. - think a formal pact is unlikely. some in the conservative ranks might actually look to embrace such an idea, but i think the leadership of both parties have previously ruled it out and may well do again. but of course there is a distinction between a formal pact where one party agrees not to fight a particular constituency and allows the other to have a free run, and then the sort of informal agreements where one party might prefer to just not try as hard, basically. but i think, in both cases, it is unlikely to make a major difference, because whereas reform uk may take some votes from the conservatives, it is not the conservatives that they need to beat in all these constituencies, it is labour, so if you look at the

blackpool south by—election, the conservatives only narrowly held off reform, with reform coming in third are there, but labour was so far ahead that even if all the reform voters had voted conservative, which of course was never going to happen, they still wouldn�*t have beaten labour in a constituency that, in many ways, is almost designed for reform to do well, based on the demographics, the previous voting patterns. and so maybe there will be some ad hoc, unofficial agreements not to perhaps go quite as hard as they might have done in particular constituencies, but i think a formal pact with this particular government in downing street, i think, is unlikely. but after the election, well, we�*lljust have to wait and see. well, we'll 'ust have to wait and see. . , well, we'll 'ust have to wait and see. ., , ., , ., ., well, we'll 'ust have to wait and see. . , ., , ., ., ., see. harry, a question for you, how lont have see. harry, a question for you, how long have the _ see. harry, a question for you, how long have the tories _ see. harry, a question for you, how long have the tories been - see. harry, a question for you, how long have the tories been in - see. harry, a question for you, howl long have the tories been in power? well, the conservatives have been in government for 14 years, since 2010. the government for14 years, since 2010. the first— government for 14 years, since 2010. the first five — government for 14 years, since 2010. the first five years of that, they

were _ the first five years of that, they were in — the first five years of that, they were in coalition with the liberal democrats, that means they were the largest— democrats, that means they were the largest party, but they didn't have an overall— largest party, but they didn't have an overall majority of mps, so they needed _ an overall majority of mps, so they needed a _ an overall majority of mps, so they needed a coalition agreement with another— needed a coalition agreement with another party, in this case the liberal— another party, in this case the liberal democrats, in order to create — liberal democrats, in order to create the _ liberal democrats, in order to create the majority that allowed them _ create the majority that allowed them to — create the majority that allowed them to pass laws, and since 2015 they have — them to pass laws, and since 2015 they have been in overall power themselves, in government, a majority— themselves, in government, a majority in _ themselves, in government, a majority in house of commons. before that, majority in house of commons. before that. labour— majority in house of commons. before that, labourwas in majority in house of commons. before that, labour was in power for 13 years. _ that, labour was in power for 13 years. from _ that, labour was in power for 13 years, from 1997 until 2010, is a rishi _ years, from 1997 until 2010, is a rishi sunak, i suppose, that is one of the _ rishi sunak, i suppose, that is one of the challenges for him in many ways. _ of the challenges for him in many ways. he — of the challenges for him in many ways. he is— of the challenges for him in many ways, he is notjust standing on the record _ ways, he is notjust standing on the record of— ways, he is notjust standing on the record of the time that he has been in charge. _ record of the time that he has been in charge, he has been prime minister— in charge, he has been prime minister and leader of the conservative party, in many ways he is also _ conservative party, in many ways he is also being — conservative party, in many ways he is also being judged on the record of predecessors as prime minister and leader— of predecessors as prime minister and leader of the conservative party going _ and leader of the conservative party going back— and leader of the conservative party going back to borisjohnson, liz truss— going back to borisjohnson, liz truss of— going back to borisjohnson, liz truss of course, theresa may and david _ truss of course, theresa may and david cameron before that. sol think— david cameron before that. sol think that — david cameron before that. sol think that is perhaps one of the challenges that he faces, notjust

standing — challenges that he faces, notjust standing on his own record, also standing — standing on his own record, also standing record of the last 14 years of conservative government. harry, to continue — of conservative government. harry, to continue with _ of conservative government. harry, to continue with that, _ of conservative government. harry, to continue with that, we _ of conservative government. harry, to continue with that, we have - of conservative government. harry, j to continue with that, we have seen a lot of mps, i think of a 100 now standing down, people like harriet harman, the longest serving mp, giving their farewell speeches, and most of them will not have seen this coming, that this was going to be the last day, because once the may date as a potential date past, people started to assume that it was probably going to be autumn, so we have seen craig mackinlay, who made that amazing appearance a couple of days ago, saying sadly he does not think he will fight another campaign. think he will fight another campaign-— think he will fight another cam-tain. ., , ., , think he will fight another cam-tain. .. . . , ., campaign. that is right, a number of mps, even campaign. that is right, a number of mps. even in — campaign. that is right, a number of mps, even in the _ campaign. that is right, a number of mps, even in the last _ campaign. that is right, a number of mps, even in the last 24 _ campaign. that is right, a number of mps, even in the last 24 hours, - mps, even in the last 24 hours, announcing _ mps, even in the last 24 hours, announcing that they are stepping down _ announcing that they are stepping down we — announcing that they are stepping down. we already, as you say, had more _ down. we already, as you say, had more than — down. we already, as you say, had more than 100 mps, notjust from the conservatives but across the political _ conservatives but across the political divide, announcing they are retiring or moving on to other

things _ are retiring or moving on to other things as — are retiring or moving on to other things. as you say, whatever happens after this— things. as you say, whatever happens after this election, whoever wins, whoever— after this election, whoever wins, whoever is — after this election, whoever wins, whoever is the largest party, the make-up — whoever is the largest party, the make—up of the house of commons will look very— make—up of the house of commons will look very different, because regardless, as i say, of who wins and the — regardless, as i say, of who wins and the result of the election, there — and the result of the election, there will— and the result of the election, there will be an awful lot of new mps. _ there will be an awful lot of new mps, simply by virtue of the fact that so— mps, simply by virtue of the fact that so many are retiring or moving on to— that so many are retiring or moving on to do— that so many are retiring or moving on to do something different. one thing _ on to do something different. one thing that— on to do something different. one thing that has been noticeable is how many— thing that has been noticeable is how many mps have spoken about the difficulties— how many mps have spoken about the difficulties they have faced, perhaps balancing their life as an mp with — perhaps balancing their life as an mp with family matters or even concerned about their security. so a bil concerned about their security. so a big churn _ concerned about their security. so a big churn taking place in the house of commons, whatever the results of the election— of commons, whatever the results of the election injuly the 4th. yes, the election in july the 4th. yes, the election in july the 4th. yes, the labour— the election in july the 4th. yes, the labour mp _ the election in july the 4th. yes, the labour mp for— the election in july the 4th. yes, the labour mp for halifax - the election injuly the 4th. joe: the labour mp for halifax said she is standing down, she has a young child, she is expecting another, and she feels she cannot balance life as an mp with, you know, everything else she has got to do as a family person, and that is a really big question, isn�*t it, about who can

afford to go into politics and make it work? and of course we need people of the highest calibre for all of our sakes! ben, people of the highest calibre for all of oursakes! ben, let people of the highest calibre for all of our sakes! ben, let me you a question, why has rishi sunak called a general election in the summer? 50 a general election in the summer? ’sr rishi a general election in the summer? sr rishi sunak had the choice to call an election any time, hold at any time up to the end ofjanuary. he has got six months or more before that. it is always a difficult decision to make, do you call an election from the current position, evenif election from the current position, even if polls show you are behind, like joe explained even if polls show you are behind, likejoe explained earlier, or wait and hope that they will improve? rishi sunak hasjudged that and hope that they will improve? rishi sunak has judged that this and hope that they will improve? rishi sunak hasjudged that this is the right time for him. a big factor in any election is the economy, and we know it is a big concern for voters this time around. it is notable that the announcement of the election did come on the same day that the latest inflation figures were announced, and that showed inflation at 2.3%, quite close to the bank of england target of 2%. but of course there is lots of factors, and i�*m not sure anyone,

the pm and people closest to him, really know exactly why, even though there will be lots of speculation, i�*m sure, in the coming weeks. harry, on that, i was talking to nick eardley, who was travelling with the prime minister at the moment about that, because nadine dorries had mischievously tweeted that the real reason for the july date was because us school terms starting august, and if he doesn�*t win the election, all the speculation is he will relocate back to california, where he met his wife. that is a bit mischievous, but people have reasons, don�*t they for making these decisions, and there is a lot of frustration among tory mps saying, we are so far behind in the polls, every percentage point that shifts means that it really affects on�*s job, shifts means that it really affects on�*sjob, because you shifts means that it really affects on�*s job, because you are out of a job if you lose your seat. that on's job, because you are out of a job if you lose your seat.- job if you lose your seat. that is completely _ job if you lose your seat. that is completely right, _ job if you lose your seat. that is completely right, a _ job if you lose your seat. that is completely right, a lot - job if you lose your seat. that is completely right, a lot of- job if you lose your seat. that is completely right, a lot of tory i job if you lose your seat. that is i completely right, a lot of tory mps expressing their concern, shall we say, both privately and publicly, it is worth saying, after the early

election was called. 0ne cabinet minister texted me to say, it is a brave decision to go early. i think the reality is that a lot of those people closest to rishi sunak, oliver dowden, who is known to be one of his closest friends in politics, one of his closest political allies, politics, one of his closest politicalallies, has politics, one of his closest political allies, has long been making the case for going early, the argument being, i suppose, that you are seen to be seizing the initiative, you look like you are stronger perhaps if you decide to go early. but as you say, many of his backbenchers, many conservative mps very concerned that he has chosen to go early when, as we have been hearing, there is such a large gap in the polling. it is worth saying that polling is just polling and there is only one poll that matters, and as we have seen in previous elections, a lot can change in six weeks. . . elections, a lot can change in six weeks. , , ., , , ., elections, a lot can change in six weeks. , , ., , ,, ., weeks. gel, 'ust to bring you in on our weeks. gel, just to bring you in on your specialist _ weeks. gel, just to bring you in on your specialist subject, _ weeks. gel, just to bring you in on your specialist subject, how - your specialist subject, how reliable are general election polls? what is a bellwether seat? a couple of questions there. i will

what is a bellwether seat? a couple of questions there.— of questions there. i will answer the second _ of questions there. i will answer the second one _ of questions there. i will answer the second one first, _ of questions there. i will answer the second one first, a - of questions there. i will answer i the second one first, a bellwether seat is _ the second one first, a bellwether seat is one — the second one first, a bellwether seat is one that matches the overall result. _ seat is one that matches the overall result. and — seat is one that matches the overall result, and so with the conservatives in power, that particular— conservatives in power, that particular seat would go to the conservatives, and with labour in power. _ conservatives, and with labour in power. it— conservatives, and with labour in power, it will go to labour. and so with the _ power, it will go to labour. and so with the new— power, it will go to labour. and so with the new boundaries that have come _ with the new boundaries that have come into — with the new boundaries that have come into force, it does get more confusing — come into force, it does get more confusing this time around, so you'll— confusing this time around, so you'll have _ confusing this time around, so you'll have to forgive me if i can't name _ you'll have to forgive me if i can't name individual constituencies under the new— name individual constituencies under the new boundaries that will be bellwethers this time. but they will bellwethers this time. but they will be out _ bellwethers this time. but they will be out there, so keep an eye on them _ be out there, so keep an eye on them polls— be out there, so keep an eye on them. polls are only a snapshot of public— them. polls are only a snapshot of public opinion at the time, so at the moment we are not seeking to predict _ the moment we are not seeking to predict where we think the general election— predict where we think the general election result will be, because we still have _ election result will be, because we still have six weeks remaining, and as we _ still have six weeks remaining, and as we know. — still have six weeks remaining, and as we know, one week is a long time in politics _ as we know, one week is a long time in politics. but what i can say is that— in politics. but what i can say is that the — in politics. but what i can say is that the final election polls, historically speaking, tend to be quite _ historically speaking, tend to be quite close. but there are exceptions, four out of five times

they tend — exceptions, four out of five times they tend to be within the margin of error. which — they tend to be within the margin of error, which is usually around plus or minus— error, which is usually around plus or minus macro 2%. in a close election. _ or minus macro 2%. in a close election, that could be the difference between one party winning and the _ difference between one party winning and the other party winning, but at the moment the lead for labour is substantially in all of the polling and the — substantially in all of the polling and the kind of gains that parties have _ and the kind of gains that parties have made in election campaigns in the past _ have made in election campaigns in the past are not large enough to offset _ the past are not large enough to offset that lead, even if you factor in the _ offset that lead, even if you factor in the largest ever polling miss, i am ashamed to mention it, from back in 1992 _ am ashamed to mention it, from back in 1992 so _ am ashamed to mention it, from back in 1992. so even if we get the in1992. so even if we get the largest— in 1992. so even if we get the largest movement in a campaign and the largest— largest movement in a campaign and the largest polling miss, you still see labour probably being the largest— see labour probably being the largest party in a hung parliament, which _ largest party in a hung parliament, which would be enough to get keir starmer— which would be enough to get keir starmer into downing street. people have pointed out that even if that happened — have pointed out that even if that happened and there was no clear majority. — happened and there was no clear majority, it happened and there was no clear ma'ori , . happened and there was no clear ma'ori , , ., ~' happened and there was no clear ma'ori , , ., ,, , majority, it is not like the lib dems were — majority, it is not like the lib dems were to _ majority, it is not like the lib dems were to prop _ majority, it is not like the lib dems were to prop up - majority, it is not like the lib dems were to prop up a - majority, it is not like the lib dems were to prop up a tory| dems were to prop up a tory government, and so it is very difficult to see a return for the

tories, although i should say the prime minister, it his briefing to journalists today, is in fighting spirit, so of course we will only know the outcome on july the 5th. ben, if know the outcome onjuly the 5th. ben, if i can ask you a few procedural questions we have had in, you know, people are suddenly having to take this seriously, that they are now going to be able to cast a vote for the government of their choice, the mp of their choice. so we are getting questions like, how do you apply for a postal vote, who can vote in the general election, and how do i know who my mps or what i am and how do i know who my mps or what iam in? and how do i know who my mps or what i am in? . .. and how do i know who my mps or what i am in? , ., ., ., i am in? these are all great questions — i am in? these are all great questions and _ i am in? these are all great questions and really - i am in? these are all great i questions and really important i am in? these are all great - questions and really important for people to be asking. postal votes, proxy roads, and to register to vote itself, you can do it online, just google postal votes, and you should be able to find information on the government website. if you are not able to use the internet for whatever reason, you can get in touch with your local electoral

office, who can provide further information. and then what was the second question? sorry... someone asked, second question? sorry... someone asked. what— second question? sorry... someone asked, what constituency _ second question? sorry... someone asked, what constituency and - second question? sorry... someone asked, what constituency and who l second question? sorry... someone| asked, what constituency and who is my mp, yeah... and he was allowed to vote? .. , my mp, yeah... and he was allowed to vote? ., , ., , ., vote? really important question with the boundary — vote? really important question with the boundary changes, _ vote? really important question with the boundary changes, so _ vote? really important question with the boundary changes, so out - vote? really important question with the boundary changes, so out of- vote? really important question with the boundary changes, so out of the| the boundary changes, so out of the 533 constituencies in england, i don�*t have the figures for elsewhere in the uk, almost all of those are changing boundaries, only about 50 are remaining unchanged, so you may well be in a new constituency. you can find out information online, again, if you go on the gov.uk website, or democracy club, you can find out where your polling station is and who the candidates are in your local area.— your local area. these boundary chantes, your local area. these boundary changes, obviously _ your local area. these boundary changes, obviously they - your local area. these boundary changes, obviously they are - your local area. these boundary - changes, obviously they are designed to be fair to all parties, but is there an argument about whether they

favour one party or another? ithihk favour one party or another? i think that is quite — favour one party or another? i think that is quite hard _ favour one party or another? i think that is quite hard to _ favour one party or another? i think that is quite hard to say. _ favour one party or another? i think that is quite hard to say. they - favour one party or another? i think that is quite hard to say. they are l that is quite hard to say. they are designed in a way such that they are hoping not to produce a big change, but it is very difficult to say at this stage how it will affect the result, although i�*m sure there will be a lot of speculation in the weeks ahead and after the election. someone has asked to was the last general election? harry? that someone has asked to was the last general election? harry?— general election? harry? that was 2019, general election? harry? that was 2019. almost _ general election? harry? that was 2019, almost as _ general election? harry? that was 2019, almost as we _ general election? harry? that was 2019, almost as we were - general election? harry? that was 2019, almost as we were hearing, | 2019, almost as we were hearing, almost _ 2019, almost as we were hearing, almost five — 2019, almost as we were hearing, almost five years ago. the deadline legally— almost five years ago. the deadline legally for— almost five years ago. the deadline legally for the next election is the end of— legally for the next election is the end ofjanuary in 2025, but as we were _ end ofjanuary in 2025, but as we were hearing, rishi sunak has decided — were hearing, rishi sunak has decided to go slightly earlier, but it has— decided to go slightly earlier, but it has been almost five years since the last— it has been almost five years since the last election.— the last election. harry, another one for you. _ the last election. harry, another one for you, what _ the last election. harry, another one for you, what is _ the last election. harry, another one for you, what is the - the last election. harry, another one for you, what is the blue - the last election. harry, another. one for you, what is the blue coast and why is ed davey focused on the south of england? ed and why is ed davey focused on the south of england?— south of england? ed davey is the leader of the _ south of england? ed davey is the leader of the liberal _ south of england? ed davey is the leader of the liberal democrat - leader of the liberal democrat party. — leader of the liberal democrat party. he _ leader of the liberal democrat party, he is going to the south coast — party, he is going to the south coast of— party, he is going to the south coast of england and also, i

suppose. _ coast of england and also, i suppose, the south—west of england as well. _ suppose, the south—west of england as well, because those are the areas where _ as well, because those are the areas where he _ as well, because those are the areas where he is — as well, because those are the areas where he is hoping and expecting to win the _ where he is hoping and expecting to win the most seats. the liberal democrats tend to be popular in those _ democrats tend to be popular in those kind of parts of england, in particular. — those kind of parts of england, in particular, also in some areas of scotland. — particular, also in some areas of scotland, so he is focusing his energies. _ scotland, so he is focusing his energies, his campaigning on those areas. _ energies, his campaigning on those areas, those particular constituencies that he thinks he can win. constituencies that he thinks he can win we _ constituencies that he thinks he can win we saw— constituencies that he thinks he can win. we saw him in cheltenham yesterday. _ win. we saw him in cheltenham yesterday, and as you say, he is down _ yesterday, and as you say, he is down on — yesterday, and as you say, he is down on the _ yesterday, and as you say, he is down on the south coast today in eastbourne. there are other seats around _ eastbourne. there are other seats around the — eastbourne. there are other seats around the country where perhaps the liberal _ around the country where perhaps the liberal democrats face less of a chance. — liberal democrats face less of a chance, perhaps coming in third or fourth. _ chance, perhaps coming in third or fourth. more — chance, perhaps coming in third or fourth, more of a straight fight between — fourth, more of a straight fight between labour and the conservatives. so as we were hearing earlier. _ conservatives. so as we were hearing earlier. were — conservatives. so as we were hearing earlier, were checking what constituency you are in, checking he was standing in your area before you decide _ was standing in your area before you decide who _ was standing in your area before you decide who to vote for. joe, was standing in your area before you decide who to vote for.— decide who to vote for. joe, i'm ttoin to decide who to vote for. joe, i'm going to ask _ decide who to vote for. joe, i'm going to ask you _

decide who to vote for. joe, i'm going to ask you a _ decide who to vote for. joe, i'm going to ask you a couple - decide who to vote for. joe, i'm going to ask you a couple if - decide who to vote for. joe, i'm going to ask you a couple if i i decide who to vote for. joe, i'm i going to ask you a couple if i can. we have been asked, one will we know the final result? and we have also been asked, do we know who�*s going to win? been asked, do we know who's going to win? ~ .. . been asked, do we know who's going to win? . to win? well, as i said, if the last ten ears to win? well, as i said, if the last ten years of— to win? well, as i said, if the last ten years of british _ to win? well, as i said, if the last ten years of british politics - to win? well, as i said, if the last ten years of british politics have i ten years of british politics have taught us anything, it is nothing can be taken for granted. if you take three different points of evidence, the current polling trends, the historical precedent, and the most recent set of election results with mayoral, local elections recently, if you look at all of those, they all point to a labour victory. all of those, they all point to a labourvictory. it all of those, they all point to a labour victory. it is unlikely to be the sort of large three figure majority that the current polling suggests, because we would, by historical precedent, expect some contraction in the polls during the campaign, not least from people who, in other times, would say i do not know, but then actually make up their mind one way or the other. but that contraction is unlikely to be enough to change the overall story.

instead, it is pointing at the moment, and i do stress at the moment, and i do stress at the moment, pointing to a labour victory of a size. and then with regards to the first question, which i have forgotten... the first question, which i have forgotten- - -_ the first question, which i have fortotten... ~ ~' ., forgotten... when will we know? the results come — forgotten... when will we know? the results come in _ forgotten... when will we know? the results come in overnight _ forgotten... when will we know? the results come in overnight on - forgotten... when will we know? the results come in overnight on the - results come in overnight on the fourth, the polls at ten o�*clock, we will all be up watching the programme, all those programmes, and i am sure, at what point in the night you think we will now? if labour have a massive majority, we will no fairly early. if it is tighter, you have to wait. yes, if it is a hung _ tighter, you have to wait. yes, if it is a hung parliament, - tighter, you have to wait. yes, if it is a hung parliament, which i. tighter, you have to wait. yes, if. it is a hung parliament, which i do not think it is likely, if it is, we may not know the overall result in terms of who is going into downing street for a couple of days and perhaps even longer. assuming that is not the case, we should know at some point in the early hours of the morning. of course, if you are sir john curtice and all of his colleagues on the exit poll, you may know by around about lunchtime on

polling day, but for those of us mere mortals, the exit poll will be announced at ten o�*clock on election night, that will give an indication, and then as the results come in, it will further confirm or indeed deny if the election is going along the lines of the exit poll. so as results started to come in, we should get a few from sunderland and newcastle within 45 minutes to an hour, but the bulk of results will come in from two i am, 3am onwards, and! come in from two i am, 3am onwards, and i imagine that relatively quickly, if it is a large labour victory, we will know. so i would estimate that by 3am on friday the 5th ofjuly, we will know. jae 5th ofjuly, we will know. joe twyman. _ 5th ofjuly, we will know. joe twyman. bill— 5th ofjuly, we will know. joe twyman, bill paxton, harry farley, lots of games to be played amongst those who like these things, but we will find out very soon come in six

weeks. thank you very much indeed. hello. the heavy and persistent rain of the last few days has been easing. the cloud is starting to break up. there�*s a little bit of sunshine out there for some of us this afternoon and i think we will see more of that through this coming bank holiday weekend. it�*s going to feel warm in the sunshine, but there will also be some really heavy and perhaps thundery downpours, but through the rest of today still quite a lot of cloud around for many areas, but that tending to thin and break. the thickest of the cloud across northern ireland, south west scotland — still producing some spits and spots of rain. the best of the sunshine across southern england into south wales. here just the odd shower and highs of around 19 degrees. through this evening and tonight the cloud should continue to break up. i think across northern ireland, parts of south—west scotland that cloud will be quite stubborn, but elsewhere some clear spells developing, perhaps some mist

and fog patches through the early part of saturday. temperatures for some, particularly out in the countryside across parts of wales, southern england, will get pretty low, down to around three or four degrees. so it could be quite a chilly start to saturday morning, some mist and fog patches. a bright start for many, but a couple of weather systems. this one creeping in from the east is going to bring more cloud and perhaps some showery rain across east anglia and then maybe fringing into other eastern counties of england. another weather system pushing in from the west, that will bring rain into the south—west of england by the end of the afternoon. in between, a slice of sunshine with just one or two showers and temperatures in northern scotland and also south—east england could get up to 20 or 21 degrees. on saturday evening this little weather system will continue to bring rain across some parts of northern and eastern england, into southern scotland. this one bringing rain into wales and northern ireland. as these two different weather systems just continue to rotate across the uk on sunday, what we really end up with is a day

of sunny spells and showers, but some of those showers will be really heavy, slow moving, could dump a lot of rain in a short space of time and there could be some thunder and lightning thrown in, particularly across england and wales. in the sunny spots between the showers still feeling relatively warm. for bank holiday monday, still sunshine and showers, but this time the heaviest showers likely to be across eastern and northern england and into the eastern side of scotland. not as many showers further south and west. temperatures around 17 degrees.

live from london, this is bbc news. our top stories. the un�*s top court orders israel to immediately halt its military offensive in rafah. a sprint start to a six week marathon. political leaders —— across the uk campaigning for the 4th ofjuly election. also this hour at the inquire into the post office scandal, former boss paula vennells is accused of living in la land and acting duplicitous lee. did is accused of living in la land and acting duplicitous lee.— is accused of living in la land and acting duplicitous lee. did the mask sli- in this acting duplicitous lee. did the mask slip in this e-mail, _ acting duplicitous lee. did the mask slip in this e-mail, mrs _ acting duplicitous lee. did the mask slip in this e-mail, mrs vennells? . slip in this e—mail, mrs vennells? four people are killed after a two

story restaurant building collapses on the spanish island of majorca. hello, i�*m geeta guru—murthy. we begin in the hague wherejudges at the international court ofjustice — that�*s the united nations top court — have ruled that israel must immediately halt its military offensive and other actions in rafah, citing the "immediate risk" to the palestinian people. it also ruled that hamas must immediately and unconditionally release its hostages. let�*s listen to what the judge, who was speaking in the past half an hour, had to say. the court recalls that in accordance with article 75, paragraph two of its rules, when a request for the indication of provisional measures has been made, it has the power

under its statute to indicate measures that are not in whole or in part, other than those requested. in the present case, having considered the terms of the provisional measures, requested by south africa, and the circumstances of the case, the court finds that the measures to be indicated need not be identical to those requested. the court considered that in conformity with the obligations under the genocide convention, israel must immediately halt its military offensive, and any other action in the rafah governorate which may inflict on the palestinian group in gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part. the court recalls that in its order of 26th of january, 2024, it ordered israel, inter alia,

to, and i quote, to take effective measures to prevent the destruction and ensure the preservation of evidence related to allegations of acts within the scope of article two and article three of the genocide convention, end of quote. in the present circumstances, the court is also of the view in order to preserve evidence related to allegations of acts falling within the scope of article two and article three of the genocide convention, israel must take effective measures to ensure the unimpeded access to the gaza strip of any commission of inquiry, fact—finding mission, or other investigative body mandated by competent organs of the united nations to investigate allegations of genocide. thejudge speaking the judge speaking at the icj in the last couple of hours. our diplomatic correspondent paul adams is injerusalem. he told us more about the immediate

reaction from israel. this was the measure that was anticipated, with some debate as to whether or not the court would finally take that additional step. no official reaction from the government so far. it is due to discuss this ruling later today. there is a reaction from the hardline finance minister itamar ben—gvir who has called it a relevant and he has dismissed the court as anti—semitic. these are the sorts of remarks you would expect to hear from some of mr netanyahu�*s more hardline colleagues. but when it comes to the order to halt the rafah offensive, i think we can expect a big fat no from the government here and i think they will probably complain that the court in coming to its conclusions only cited what the un had told them about the situation in southern gaza. the israelis have been arguing

for some time that they are taking steps, notwithstanding their military operation in gaza, that they are taking steps to improve the provision of food and goods into the gaza strip. it is notable for the three weeks or so after the 7th of may when the order to launch the offensive in rafah began, only about 140 trucks of una entered through the kerem shalom crossing —— un aid. the most important crossing point from its rail. this is something the court didn�*t refer to, hundreds and hundreds of trucks of commercial foodstuffs have gone in three that very same route —— crossing point from israel. it was allowed in by israel, escorted by armed guards inside the gaza strip and taken into the marketplace in gaza. there is food to be had in places. a lot of

gazans cannot afford it, but that was an element of israel�*s response to the situation in gaza that the court simply didn�*t allude to. they also did not allude to israel�*s military rationale for attacking gaza, the complete dismantling of the last remaining battalions of hamas and the importance, israel would say, of securing the border between gaza and egypt to prevent the smuggling of weapons which could lead to a future conflict. all of this wasn�*t referred to by the court. the court obviously feels that those in excess of 800,000 people, we think it is probably closer to a million by now, is evidence of the increased risk to life and well—being of a huge proportion of the palestinian population of the gaza strip. that was enough to persuade those judges

who have not been persuaded so far to say enough is enough, the operation has to stop. paul to say enough is enough, the operation has to stop. pauladams in jerusalem. there _ operation has to stop. pauladams in jerusalem. there will _ operation has to stop. pauladams in jerusalem. there will be _ operation has to stop. pauladams in jerusalem. there will be a _ operation has to stop. pauladams in jerusalem. there will be a lot - operation has to stop. pauladams in jerusalem. there will be a lot of- jerusalem. there will be a lot of attention on how the us response. we cannot confirm anything yet but axial set agency reporting that president biden is expected to hold a phone call with the egypt president today to ask egypt to resume delivery of aid trucks to gaza. again, can�*t confirm that, but of course a lot of attention on how the us will respond. a bit more response from you, david mensik an israeli government spokesman said to the bbc there is no power in the world that will push us to commit a public suicide because that is what this is, to stop our war against hamas. —— david mencer. we know that israeli cabinet ministers are due to be meeting to discuss this. the palestinian authority which runs part of the occupied west bank has also said they welcome the ruling.

and we have also had other israeli leaders speaking out. the it has been said that the icj not connecting to the end of the operation into rafah and the right to defend itself against terror is an abject moralfailure. it to defend itself against terror is an abject moral failure. it said israel was brutally attacked from gas and forced to defend itself from hamas, saying no country in the world wouldn�*t defend itself like that. —— attacks from hamas. hamas has called for the ruling to be enforced by the un security council. we have had some response from south africa also who brought this, the president welcoming the ruling there, present ran the place out there. we will keep you across those reactions, especially coming from washington. let�*s turn to the huge political news here.

an election was called just two days ago. the party leaders have been out on the election campaign trail. rishi sunak was in belfast — where he challenged the labour leader, sir keir starmer, tojoin him in a series of tv debates. the prime minister used a telegraph column to accuse the labour leader of lacking "courage". i have heard this morning that he said he wanted to debate the british people rather than me. i think what the british people want are answers. answers to the questions about what he would actually do if he became prime minister and how much it is going to cost them in higher taxes. i think those are the answers he should be providing. for my part, i am very happy to debate keir starmer so that i can set out what i want to do for this country, taking bold action, working towards a clear plan and delivering a secure future for everyone. that is the choice at this election. it is either going to be keir starmer or me that is prime minister onjuly 5th and he should want to debate me, i want to debate him. i hope that he takes up the offer. labour had indicated that rather than the six showdowns proposed by the tories,

keir starmer would agree to meet rishi sunak on the two broadcasters with the largest audience, the bbc and itv. there will be debates. but you know, i could debate the prime minister once or 100 times. i know what he�*s going to say. he�*s going to stand there and say everything is fine, the cost of living crisis is over, the nhs is brilliant, nobody is struggling. we hear that every week at prime minister�*s questions. we have that debate. and i want to talk directly to voters about what labour is offering and why this is an election which is all about change. the leader of the liberal democrats ed davey has been on a campaign trail too. he�*s been speaking to voters in eastbourne. it�*s so good to be here in eastbourne because liberal democrats are bringing change to eastbourne and we are bringing change across our country, particularly across the south of england where everybody knows now that if you want to beat the conservatives you vote liberal democrat. and people want

the conservatives out. they have made such a mess of our country, on the economy, on the health service, on the environment, on things like sewage, and we are determined to beat as many conservative mps as we possibly can. all three main party leaders. many of the parties standing, too, as we are reporting every day. how is this whole battle going to be fought? it is going to come under a lot of scrutiny. we have had a parliamentary committee who has written to rishi sunak to say the government should be prepared for the possibility of foreign interference during the general election campaign. the electioneering no: the electoral commission to issue guidance on how to spot deepfakes and other types of misinformation online, when members of the public who may not fully understand how these threats could appear. gordon corera, our security correspondent is here. what are they warding off? the correspondent is here. what are they warding off?— warding off? the joint committee on the national — warding off? the joint committee on

the national security _ warding off? the joint committee on the national security strategy - the national security strategy chaired by margaret beckett mp writing a letter. they have been investigating this issue for some time but now the election has been called, they have written to the prime minister, rishi sunak, calling for action as fast as possible effectively because of this risk. the foreign interference. what could it be? in the past it talks about cyberattacks, back in 2019 there were talks about information having been hacked and leaked by foreign states and russia in that case. and also the growing fear about deepfake technology, could you have messages purporting to be someone that actually not really be them. we saw that with joe _ actually not really be them. we saw that with joe biden _ actually not really be them. we saw that with joe biden in _ actually not really be them. we saw that with joe biden in the _ actually not really be them. we saw that with joe biden in the us. - actually not really be them. we saw that with joe biden in the us. there was a robo — that with joe biden in the us. there was a robo call _ that with joe biden in the us. there was a robo call with _ that with joe biden in the us. there was a robo call with joe _ that with joe biden in the us. there was a robo call with joe biden's - was a robo call withjoe biden�*s voice that wasn�*t him telling people to save their vote during the new hampshire primary and also we have seen some evidence with sadiq khan and others in the uk. it is really a call for more preparation as fast as possible for that possibility with the electoral commission they are asking for to put out advice. it

also i guessjust greater asking for to put out advice. it also i guess just greater awareness and focus on that possibility in case something does happen during the election campaign. it can case something does happen during the election campaign.— the election campaign. it can be very difficult _ the election campaign. it can be very difficult to _ the election campaign. it can be very difficult to spot _ the election campaign. it can be very difficult to spot these - the election campaign. it can be i very difficult to spot these things. is there any possibility that the tech companies will be forced to take further action and try and monitor this? yellowknifer been called before this committee to be asked that question but time is running out now with the election being called. there is talk about watermarking videos to show whether they contain deepfake material or not. 50 they contain deepfake material or not. they contain deepfake material or not, ., they contain deepfake material or not. ., . , not. so there are some techniques but there is _ not. so there are some techniques but there is a _ not. so there are some techniques but there is a limit _ not. so there are some techniques but there is a limit on _ not. so there are some techniques but there is a limit on that. - not. so there are some techniques but there is a limit on that. they i but there is a limit on that. they will be lots of pressure if anything emerges, for the media, for others, to be able to spot it and call it out fast before it spreads but it is a new environment. technology is moving fast and the regulation and the ability to spot this and deal with it is not necessarily catching up. with it is not necessarily catching u, . ., ., with it is not necessarily catching up. what would be the motivation of foreitn up. what would be the motivation of foreign countries? _ up. what would be the motivation of

foreign countries? we _ up. what would be the motivation of foreign countries? we can _ up. what would be the motivation of foreign countries? we can all- foreign countries? we can all speculate as to which countries might be involved, have the committee named them? in might be involved, have the committee named them? in the past russia has been _ committee named them? in the past russia has been accused _ committee named them? in the past russia has been accused of- committee named them? in the past russia has been accused of directly i russia has been accused of directly interfering back in 2019. there�*s also allegations in the us that china might be trying to influence the election. if you do see countries who are trying to sometime simply because division, sometimes influenced to a particular direction. it�*s not always clear. i think it�*s an open question, particularly because the election has been called faster than many people expected, whether those countries might try to do anything, whether they have any plans in place, whether they will rush them together, whether they will test things out that they might want to use in the us election. i think it is very uncertain what we might see, if we might see anything. ldraihat is very uncertain what we might see, if we might see anything.— if we might see anything. what sort of thint is if we might see anything. what sort of thing is practically _ if we might see anything. what sort of thing is practically can _ if we might see anything. what sort of thing is practically can people - of thing is practically can people do? if it is likely to be videos or films where a political leader has purportedly said something that is divisive and embarrassing. the problem is people read the stuff and watch it and click through it and by

the time it is corrected they might not see the correction. that the time it is corrected they might not see the correction.— the time it is corrected they might not see the correction. that is one ofthe not see the correction. that is one of the challenges. _ not see the correction. that is one of the challenges. the _ not see the correction. that is one of the challenges. the speed - not see the correction. that is one of the challenges. the speed with| of the challenges. the speed with which some of this material can move on social media. i guess i would say this from the bbc, but go to trusted sources of information who will put effort into verifying that information and trying to establish where it has come from and whether it is true or not. i think that will be important and will be an interesting test to see whether things can be spotted and how far they spread if they are and if they do. open question really as to how much we will see. it is hard to know. . . .. , much we will see. it is hard to know, , ., , , ., know. just finally in terms of if teo . le know. just finally in terms of if people are _ know. just finally in terms of if people are rrot _ know. just finally in terms of if people are not sure _ know. just finally in terms of if people are not sure if- know. just finally in terms of if people are not sure if it - know. just finally in terms of if people are not sure if it isn't i know. just finally in terms of if. people are not sure if it isn't yet people are not sure if it isn�*t yet on the bbc website or any other trusted provider, what we do in the bbc as we try and double a triple source any question, so we look at a number of different websites. what practical things can be done at home? it practical things can be done at home? . practical things can be done at home? , ., . home? it is looking with a critical e e but home? it is looking with a critical eye but rrot _ home? it is looking with a critical eye but rrot a _ home? it is looking with a critical eye but not a completely - home? it is looking with a critical. eye but not a completely dismissive eye but not a completely dismissive eye at information which comes in and try to ask what is the source? is it clear whether the video originated and where it has come

from? can you really trace it back and can you understand it? what are other trusted sources saying about it? and thinking about that with that kind of perspective. because we have seen that the information can spread very fast. it often does get debunked then by people who do look at it carefully. but as you said, the risk is there is an intermediate phase where people can spread it without necessarily knowing themselves that it is false. yes, gordon thanks _ themselves that it is false. yes, gordon thanks very _ themselves that it is false. yes, gordon thanks very much. - themselves that it is false. yes, gordon thanks very much. gordon corera, great to see you. just let me bring you an update on the story about the international court of justice that israel must halt its military offensive in rafah. writers are reporting that benny gantz, the israeli war cabinet minister has said israel is committed to continuing fighting to return the hostages and to ensure security and he has said "we will continue operating in accordance with international law." benny gantz, who of course was seen in washington a few weeks ago in washington,

potentially seen, whetherjoe biden was courting benny gantz as a potential alternative leader in israeli politics, saying they�*re going to continue operating in accordance with international law. not totally clear what that statement means but we will get more on that to you as we can. just returning to the uk election which is going to dominate news here for the next six weeks. let�*s speak to rachel cunliffe, associate political editor of the new statesman. thank you for your time today. good afternoon. thank you for your time today. good afternoon- lt — thank you for your time today. good afternoon. it is _ thank you for your time today. good afternoon. it is a _ thank you for your time today. good afternoon. it is a big _ thank you for your time today. good afternoon. it is a big day _ thank you for your time today. good afternoon. it is a big day today - thank you for your time today. good afternoon. it is a big day today for. afternoon. it is a big day today for eve one afternoon. it is a big day today for everyone in _ afternoon. it is a big day today for everyone in westminster - afternoon. it is a big day today for everyone in westminster because | afternoon. it is a big day today for. everyone in westminster because a lot of mps, over 100, are standing down. some legislation is being dropped that was supposed to go through today. some is being rushed through. what has been the mood of everyone you have been speaking to? it has been quite a strange day, with some moving speeches in westminster from some of those mps who are choosing not to stand again, sometimes after incredibly long

careers. the labour mp harriet harman who is the mother of the house, one of the longest serving mps in parliament pointed out that when she first became an mp the current prime minister was two years old. we have also had moving speeches from theresa may about everything that she is proud of having achieved. and we are getting more and more letters and statements from mps who have made the decision that they are not going to stand, sometimes in really quite sad and moving circumstances. craig mackinlay, who was the conservative mp seen on wednesdayjust before pmqs back in the chamber after having suffered from sepsis and had his hands and feet amputated, he was there in the chamber with bionic hands and feet. he got four rounds of applause from the house for his recovery and him saying obviously for personal and medical reasons he is not going to fight this election. so it has been a day of farewells to mps and also to legislation that we

really did think was almost certain to pass, such as rishi sunak�*s historic smoking and vaping bill that would have basically banned anyone under the age of 16 from ever starting smoking. that could have been his legacy. sadly, that has been his legacy. sadly, that has been dropped now as well as the house desperately trying to sweep up all the unfinished business. absolutely. and on the campaign messages and themes, moving through the main parties, morgan mcsweeney is the person who has been at keir starmer�*s side throughout, they have been very disciplined, very cautious, and they were prepared even for a may election, won�*t they? they were. the line in labour was all the different labour shadow departments had to get their policies for the manifesto ready by the middle of february so that they would have been ready to go for a may election. morgan mcsweeney has been preparing for this for quite some time. i think labour will run a very aggressive campaign. 0ne some time. i think labour will run a very aggressive campaign. one of my colleagues at the new statesman said

this is the election at which we have to learn to cry alone. in other words, you have to toughen up because it�*s going to be a tough campaign and we are going to fight really hard. kicking off in scotland where keir starmer has said that scotland is central to labour�*s mission, his idea for a publicly owned power company called great british energy that will be based in scotland. scotland is also crucial for labour in terms of its recovery. if you look at the swing that labour needs to get in the rest of the country, that is made significantly easier if they can win a substantial number of seats north of the border. i believe the calculation is that every ten seats and labour can win backin every ten seats and labour can win back in scotland, that�*s 500,000 fewer votes they need in england, as it were. scotland matters to the labour campaign. just it were. scotland matters to the labour campaign.— it were. scotland matters to the labour campaign. just to clarify, when mcsweeney _ labour campaign. just to clarify, when mcsweeney says _ labour campaign. just to clarify, when mcsweeney says we - labour campaign. just to clarify, when mcsweeney says we need | labour campaign. just to clarify, i when mcsweeney says we need to labour campaign. just to clarify, - when mcsweeney says we need to learn to cry alone, he means what? if it is a bruising day?— to cry alone, he means what? if it is a bruising day? pick yourself up, no one will— is a bruising day? pick yourself up, no one will comfort _ is a bruising day? pick yourself up, no one will comfort you, _ is a bruising day? pick yourself up, no one will comfort you, get - is a bruising day? pick yourself up, no one will comfort you, get on - is a bruising day? pick yourself up, i no one will comfort you, get on with thejob. no one will comfort you, get on with the 'ob. ., , ., , .,

the job. the conservatives, we have heard a very — the job. the conservatives, we have heard a very sort — the job. the conservatives, we have heard a very sort of _ the job. the conservatives, we have heard a very sort of positive - heard a very sort of positive message from rishi sunak on the plane briefing reporters today. the da plane briefing reporters today. tie: day started quite well with the news that the energy price cap will be falling saving people on their energy bills. but it�*s been another day of campaign gaffes. he�*s been in northern ireland speaking at the titanic quarter and if you wanted to insert some metaphors about sinking ships and too big to fail and all that, the headlines by themselves. i�*ve been picking up a significant frustration and even a certain amount of anger and irritation from conservative mps and campaigners as to why it is that a campaign rishi sunak chose to call is the one that looks a bit more disorganised and incompetent. six weeks is a long time, a lot can change, you could say get the gaff�*s out of the way early at the start of the campaign, but if you are trying to encourage

your team to but if you are trying to encourage yourteam to campaign but if you are trying to encourage your team to campaign with enthusiasm and feel motivated that you have a chance of winning, stuff like this doesn�*t really help with the general mood. like this doesn't really help with the general mood.— like this doesn't really help with the general mood. there is that one strikint the general mood. there is that one striking image _ the general mood. there is that one striking image of _ the general mood. there is that one striking image of a _ the general mood. there is that one striking image of a very _ the general mood. there is that one striking image of a very wet - the general mood. there is that one striking image of a very wet prime i striking image of a very wet prime minister at the start of the campaign. but he is looking much drier and much chair peer in the last couple of days. thank you very much, rachel cunliffe from the new statesman. let�*s speak to dame diana johnson, the labour mp for kingston upon hull north. thank you forjoining us. we know you have been campaigning for justice for many years for the victims of the infected blood scandal. how is the fact that there is an election called just now going to affect calls for compensation? well, good afternoon first of all. and of course, at the beginning of the week we had the landmark report from the public inquiry, and on tuesday we had the statement from the paymaster general setting out

what compensation might look like. so i think the campaigners and those infected and affected are worried because a general election has been called and there may be further delays now to that compensation actually being paid out. but the minister has assured me that the engagement with the infected and affected families will start and will take place in the next few weeks at the same time as the general election campaign. but one thing they are very worried about is the fact that they don�*t have lawyers representing them any more. that finished with the end of the public inquiry. and when you are being asked to comment on a compensation scheme and package, it seems to me that those infected and affected need to have the legal expertise to be able to advise them as to whether that scheme is a good scheme and will meet their needs. there has been lots of political turbulence in westminster in the last few years. has that affected how this has been handled, do you think? , ., , ., ., ,

think? yes, it has, and i was counting _ think? yes, it has, and i was counting op _ think? yes, it has, and i was counting up there _ think? yes, it has, and i was counting up there have - think? yes, it has, and i was counting up there have been| think? yes, it has, and i was - counting up there have been nine ministers responsible for the infected blood inquiry in the last number of years of this parliament. and that has meant that there hasn�*t been that real focus on making sure that government were ready to deal with what sir bryan, the chair of the public on corrie, told them to do. so, for example, last april, sir brian said to the government you need to start paying compensation, people are dying, people are dying at the rate of one person on average every three and a half days so it�*s really important to get compensation out of the door to them. the government didn�*t take any action on the recommendation that sir brian made, it was only at the end of last year where parliament took control of this and told the government through an amendment to the victim and prisoners bill that you need to set up the compensation body and you need to start moving on this. but it has been really very difficult to get the momentum in government to

actually recognise the real focus that needed to be put on the inquiry and the recommendations from sir brian. . and the recommendations from sir brian. , ., brian. there will be a new government _ brian. there will be a new government in _ brian. there will be a new government in july - brian. there will be a new government in july of - brian. there will be a new - government in july of whatever government injuly of whatever complexion. how much added delay is there on sorting this out? because obviously any new team that comes in takes time to reassess and work out fresh priorities and get the machinery of government going. that�*s right. and i think there will be some delay. the government have promised that the further interim payment of £210,000 to those infected that will be made within 90 days. so we are hopeful that that will still go ahead. but there is no timetable to get payments to the parents who lost children all the children who lost parents. and that�*s a concern because that�*s a further delay. they have never had a penny piece from the government to recognise their suffering and what happened to them. so that�*s something i am concerned about. also, people not really knowing when

they will get those final payments. the government talked about the end of the year, but as you say, we may well have a new government in place and we will have to keep the pressure on that new government to make sure that the promises that have been given to these people are actually honoured.— actually honoured. dame diana johnson, thank _ actually honoured. dame diana johnson, thank you _ actually honoured. dame diana johnson, thank you so - actually honoured. dame diana johnson, thank you so much. i actually honoured. dame diana i johnson, thank you so much. the information that came out about that inquiry astonished many people in the last few days. today we know over 100 people are leaving parliament, stepping down for a variety of reasons. a lot of conservative mps. and i�*m joined by one. let�*s speak to sir paul beresford. he is the conservative mp for mole valley. are you in parliament today? are you in westminster? title. are you in parliament today? are you in westminster?— in westminster? no, i'm sitting in my constituency — in westminster? no, i'm sitting in my constituency in _ in westminster? no, i'm sitting in my constituency in amongst - in westminster? no, i'm sitting in my constituency in amongst the i my constituency in amongst the green. my constituency in amongst the treen. , , ., my constituency in amongst the treen. , ., green. did you go in in the last few da s? green. did you go in in the last few days? yes. — green. did you go in in the last few days? yes. i— green. did you go in in the last few days? yes. i did — green. did you go in in the last few days? yes, i did go _ green. did you go in in the last few days? yes, i did go in _ green. did you go in in the last few days? yes, i did go in and - green. did you go in in the last few days? yes, i did go in and i - green. did you go in in the last few days? yes, i did go in and i tried i days? yes, i did go in and i tried atain days? yes, i did go in and i tried again this _ days? yes, i did go in and i tried again this morning _ days? yes, i did go in and i tried again this morning but _ days? yes, i did go in and i tried again this morning but there - days? yes, i did go in and i tried| again this morning but there was days? yes, i did go in and i tried i again this morning but there was a terrible jam on the a3 and i gave

up. terrible 'am on the a3 and i gave u n . ., terrible 'am on the a3 and i gave u ._ ., ., , ., terrible 'am on the a3 and i gave up. how are you feeling today? a bit demob happy- _ up. how are you feeling today? a bit demob happy- why _ up. how are you feeling today? a bit demob happy. why are _ up. how are you feeling today? a bit demob happy. why are you - up. how are you feeling today? a bit demob happy. why are you leaving? | demob happy. why are you leaving? i've been demob happy. why are you leaving? l've been in — demob happy. why are you leaving? i've been in politics _ demob happy. why are you leaving? i've been in politics and _ demob happy. why are you leaving? i've been in politics and started - demob happy. why are you leaving? i've been in politics and started in i i�*ve been in politics and started in local government in 1977, and i missed a lot of my kids�* childhood. i�*ve now got them grown up with grandchildren etc. i�*ve got a wife that i�*ve got to sort of see again, so to speak, though she has worked with me all the way through, and i think having been in politics and starting in 77, i�*ve had enough. i�*ve managed to do quite a number of things, particularly things that i wanted to do, and apart from one thing that i�*ve got left, i�*ve done the batch that i needed to do. rishi sunak didn't _ the batch that i needed to do. rishi sunak didn't inspire _ the batch that i needed to do. rishi sunak didn't inspire you or trying sunak didn�*t inspire you or trying to persuade you to stay on? i sunak didn't inspire you or trying to persuade you to stay on? i didn't tive him to persuade you to stay on? i didn't give him a — to persuade you to stay on? i didn't give him a chance, _ to persuade you to stay on? i didn't give him a chance, i— to persuade you to stay on? i didn't give him a chance, i wrote - to persuade you to stay on? i didn't give him a chance, i wrote to - to persuade you to stay on? i didn't give him a chance, i wrote to him i give him a chance, i wrote to him and thanked him very much and said that i was backing him but that i would be backing him by campaigning to bring another conservative in in my area.

to bring another conservative in in m area. �* . to bring another conservative in in m area. . ., , my area. and what is the mood amon t st my area. and what is the mood amongst your— my area. and what is the mood amongst your colleagues - my area. and what is the mood amongst your colleagues who i my area. and what is the mood i amongst your colleagues who are my area. and what is the mood - amongst your colleagues who are not stepping down but are hoping to still find their seats? given the party is 20 points behind in the polls? we know there�*s been a lot of surprise at the calling of this. we have surprise at the calling of this. - have been there before. in local government i have fought an election when maggie was the prime minister and she was at 19%. this was ok in local government but we came in with a huge positive majority so it can be done. john major had a very similar battle and it can be done. as somebodyjust said on your panel, six weeks is a long time. we won�*t come out with a cliche. and anything can happen. and i think slowly, steadily we will realise that if you want experience and competence you will go for the present prime minister and the present chancellor rather than someone who has been a civil servant not in business and leading the government.-

civil servant not in business and leading the government. when you look around — leading the government. when you look around and _ leading the government. when you look around and think— leading the government. when you look around and think about - leading the government. when you look around and think about your. look around and think about your career, you said you want to spend more time with your family as i understand, how difficult is it to be an active politician? the young labour mp in halifax who presumably will done that would hold onto her seat, she stepping back, she has a young child, and has another on the way, it�*s a tough existing dunachie systems balancing the life of an mp and maintaining yourfamily life. and maintaining your family life. with and maintaining yourfamily life. with a couple of colleagues are used to teach people who wanted to be mps, the first thing we did when we brought them in for interview was to try and persuade them not to do it because your political life absolutely totally dominates it. the hours, they are awful, the pay, particularly for many of the conservative mps is pathetic compared with what they would be getting elsewhere. the fight to get something done is quite difficult. you need to realise that you are

either on the front bench or the back bench, if you are on the front bench you have a narrow field with quite a lot of power. if you are on the back bench you haven�*t got the power but you have a broad field. and if you are ready to use that can i certainly did use that and when i was on the backbench, because one of the things i�*ve been doing has been working with the metropolitan police, particularly their paedophile unit command about 12 or 15 legal changes through trying to protect children and protect children from paedophiles. and that�*s enormously satisfying. sir paul beresford, we wish you well in whatever you are going to do next, and thank you very much for sharing your thoughts with us today. craig mackinlay, the mp who returned to parliament this week after having his hands and feet amputated following sepsis, has announced he will not be contesting his thanet south seat

at the election. mr mackinlay received a standing ovation when he entered the house of commons on wednesday, just hours before rishi sunak announced the election. he said his return was an experience he�*d neverforget. but after 36 hours of intense soul—searching, he�*s accepted he would find the rigours of an election campaign impossible at this time. his story has touched many people, of course. the former post office boss paula vennells has been accused of living in "la—la land" and being in a cloud of denial about her role in the horizon it scandal. she�*s giving evidence for a third and final day at the public inquiry — on the day that a bill quashing the convictions of more than 800 sub—postmasters is due to come into force. our correspondent azadeh moshiri is at the inquiry, which has just stopped for the day.

0n those third and final day of paula vennells�* testimony, we saw an extraordinary e—mail that she sent in 2014 after she watched a bbc documentary that aired on the one show. it depicted the lives of several sub—postmasters and the ways that their lives had been devastated by this scandal. it also raised questions and potential problems with the horizon it system. let me pick out some direct quotes from that e—mail, she described it as hype and human interest, she said she was more bored than outraged, she was more bored than outraged, she said joe hamilton, who was depicted in that documentary and also featured in the itv series, she said joe hamilton lacked passion and admitted to false accounting on live tv. now, tim maloney, the lawyerfor the victims, asked her whether this was the mindset that executives had

during this latter part of the scandal. he asked if the culture that she was trying to instil at the post office was do not write in an e—mail what you don�*t want to read in court. let�*s listen to more of that exchange. i made a mistake here. i generally try to approach things by the values that i want the organisation to follow. this is a terrible example of where i didn't do that. did the mask slip in this e—mail, mrs vennells? i did it? did the mask slip? i made a mistake in this e—mail. and is the reality that - what you said here reflected the behind closed doorsi attitude to postmasters? no. this is how you really felt - about them, they were irritants and it was important to refute what they were saying? - no. and i know it has been chosen to be taken a different way. but my desire to share the details of the eight cases we talked about yesterday

was completely genuine. my desire behind setting up the mediation scheme was completely genuine. now, throughout the day, she was accused of living in la la land and giving a craven and self—serving account. she was asked how it would be that external lawyers knew about potential problems with the fujitsu horizon system, how she didn�*t know that in that scenario, how they could have known there was a problem with a key witness, garethjenkins, who had given a false statement in court and was no longer considered a safe witness for the post office. in general, she was met with a lot of scepticism. listen to some of the pressure she was under. you are responsible for our she was under. you are responsible for your own _ she was under. you are responsible for your own downfall, _ she was under. you are responsible for your own downfall, aren't - she was under. you are responsible

for your own downfall, aren't you? | for your own downfall, aren�*t you? i... from when the court of appeal past its _ i... from when the court of appeal past itsjudgment, i lost all the employment that i have had. and since _ employment that i have had. and since that— employment that i have had. and since that time i have only worked on this— since that time i have only worked on this inquiry. it has been really important — on this inquiry. it has been really important to me to do what i didn't or was— important to me to do what i didn't or was unable to do at the time i was chief— or was unable to do at the time i was chief executive, and i have worked — was chief executive, and i have worked for— was chief executive, and i have worked for the last three years and prioritised — worked for the last three years and prioritised this above everything else _ prioritised this above everything else for— prioritised this above everything else. forthe prioritised this above everything else. for the last year, it has probably— else. for the last year, it has probably been a full—time job. and it is my— probably been a full—time job. and it is my commitment, i have avoided talking _ it is my commitment, i have avoided talking to _ it is my commitment, i have avoided talking to the press, perhaps to my own detriment, because all the way through— own detriment, because all the way through i_ own detriment, because all the way through i have put this first. | through i have put this first. suggest through i have put this first. i suggest to you that you still continue to live in a cloud of denial.

she was also accused of keeping a lid on a 2013 report by the independent forensic investigators second sight. she was asked if that related to the future privatisation of royal mail, which was happening that same year, the two companies used to be one. and in general, she has been emotional across these three days. the first day, we saw her burst into tears four times. it was emotional the second day as well, and the third day, this final day of testimony, was no different. here is how she handled the pressure. the risk was is how she handled the pressure. tie: risk was too great, looking under that rock, you�*re going to find a problem that will devastate the post office, ruin it. you can�*t let that happen, could you, mrs vennells? i happen, could you, mrs vennells? i loved the post office, i gave it... i...

i worked as hard as i possibly could to deliver— i worked as hard as i possibly could to deliver the best post office for the uk _ to deliver the best post office for the uk it— to deliver the best post office for the uk. it would have been wonderful to have _ the uk. it would have been wonderful to have 30,000 post office branches, that would _ to have 30,000 post office branches, that would have been the best outcome — that would have been the best outcome ever, to have had more and more _ outcome ever, to have had more and more communities. what i failed to do, more communities. what i failed to do. and _ more communities. what i failed to do. and i_ more communities. what i failed to do, and i have made this clear previously. _ do, and i have made this clear previously, as i did not recognise, and it— previously, as i did not recognise, and it has— previously, as i did not recognise, and it has been discussed across the inquiry. _ and it has been discussed across the inquiry. the — and it has been discussed across the inquiry, the imbalance of power between — inquiry, the imbalance of power between the institution and the individual, and i let these people

down _ now, the horizon system offences bill passed before mps before they broke for the general election, it will quash the convictions of hundreds of sub—postmasters who were found guilty as part of the horizon it scandal, and what timing for this to happen at the same time as this final day of testimony. studio: azadeh moshiri, thank you very much. today is the last day parliament is sitting, with dozens of mps standing down at this election. it�*s meant many are giving their last speeches in the house of commons and one of those in the last half an hour has been the former prime minister and outgoing maidenhead mp theresa may. margaret hodge, how are you feeling today? it is margaret hodge, how are you feeling toda ? . .. . margaret hodge, how are you feeling toda ? , ., , , .,

today? it is a big question! it feels very — today? it is a big question! it feels very weird, _ today? it is a big question! it feels very weird, and - today? it is a big question! it feels very weird, and i - today? it is a big question! it feels very weird, and i feel i today? it is a big question! it - feels very weird, and i feel rather sad. you know, i have had the most privileged and delve a professional career that i can imagine, i have been an mp for now 30 years, and i will miss it, there�*s no doubt that i will miss it. will miss it, there's no doubt that i will miss it.— i will miss it. caught by surprise b the i will miss it. caught by surprise by the timing? _ i will miss it. caught by surprise by the timing? i _ i will miss it. caught by surprise by the timing? i guess - i will miss it. caught by surprise by the timing? i guess you - i will miss it. caught by surprise | by the timing? i guess you might have thought you had a few more weeks and months. i have thought you had a few more weeks and months.— have thought you had a few more weeks and months. i was indeed, and suddenl a weeks and months. i was indeed, and suddenly a full _ weeks and months. i was indeed, and suddenly a full diary _ weeks and months. i was indeed, and suddenly a full diary is _ weeks and months. i was indeed, and suddenly a full diary is rapidly - suddenly a full diary is rapidly emptying, so i�*m going to have to find other things to do with it. but, you know, over 30 years, ifeel there have been achievements but at constituency level, you have got to put your constituents first, and there is a lot that i am proud of there, you know, things like managing to get a new hospital, i managed to stop the closure of knutsford a&e, i managed to get babies born in barking again, which i thought was really important for social cohesion, and we beat the bnp

in 2010, i am really proud of that. and another national level, one of the joys is notjust and another national level, one of thejoys is notjust being and another national level, one of the joys is notjust being a minister, i was privileged to be a minister, i was privileged to be a minister under the tony blair years, but the last 14 years, i have had to work across the political divide with people from all the political tribes if i want to get things done, and particularly around the issues of tax avoidance, tax evasion, holding people like google, starbucks and amazon to account, and then trying to deal with the terrible dirty money that is sloshing all around us here in london. we have done that on a cross—party basis, and i think when people watch parliament, they see a conflict, they see the people bashing each other�*s personalities, they don�*t see the really important work we all do as mps. because we�*ve all come in to make the world a little bit of a better place, that

is why we are here, and that is what i feel we have been is why we are here, and that is what ifeel we have been able is why we are here, and that is what i feel we have been able to achieve, across party. i feel we have been able to achieve, across party-— across party. margaret, isn't it slithtl across party. margaret, isn't it slightly an _ across party. margaret, isn't it slightly an odd _ across party. margaret, isn't it slightly an odd feeling, - across party. margaret, isn't it slightly an odd feeling, to - across party. margaret, isn't it slightly an odd feeling, to be i slightly an odd feeling, to be walking away, potentially on the verge of a new labour government after 14 years in opposition? are you feeling conflicted? tiff after 14 years in opposition? are you feeling conflicted? of course, but i had you feeling conflicted? of course, but i had the _ you feeling conflicted? of course, but i had the privilege _ you feeling conflicted? of course, but i had the privilege of- you feeling conflicted? of course, but i had the privilege of being i you feeling conflicted? of course, but i had the privilege of being a i but i had the privilege of being a minister during the blair—brown years, and i have to say that we have the most fantastic group of labour mps who will be returning, and if we are privileged enough to form a government, they will be incredible ministers, and i am particularly proud that we have got so many women who will be playing leading roles in a future labour government, if we are successful at the general election. i am leaving it in good hands! you the general election. i am leaving it in good hands!— it in good hands! you were very, very prominent _ it in good hands! you were very, very prominent in _ it in good hands! you were very, very prominent in the _ it in good hands! you were very, very prominent in the corbyn - it in good hands! you were very, i very prominent in the corbyn years in the battle against anti—semitism. do you thinkjeremy corbyn, i

presume you think you should not have been admitted, but how would you feel about the fact that he is standing as an independent against the labour party? do you think diane abbott should be allowed to come back and serve and fight potentially as a labour mp?— as a labour mp? well, to deal with the jeremy — as a labour mp? well, to deal with the jeremy corbyn _ as a labour mp? well, to deal with the jeremy corbyn issue _ as a labour mp? well, to deal with the jeremy corbyn issue first, - as a labour mp? well, to deal with the jeremy corbyn issue first, i - thejeremy corbyn issue first, i have been one of those who thought that he actually would not stand, because i thought he was absolutely tribally loyal to the labour party. but i was wrong. jeremy�*s career isn�*t because ofjeremy. all the successes, all the time he has had in parliament is because he has been a labour mp, and to deny that and ignore that and a set that aside, i think, is bad behaviour. and i would say this, it is a bit of an arrogance, really, because if you are at a by—election and you stand as an independent, people might take you seriously, but at a general election, everybody is choosing a

government, they are not choosing individuals, they are choosing a government, and i think you just have to look. this week i went to frank field�*s funeral, you know, who was an incredibly talented mp, he was an incredibly talented mp, he was an incredibly talented mp, he was a really good constituency mp for people for his patch, the people of birkenhead, and yet when he stood as an independent after, i think, 40 years as their mp, he still only got 7000 votes. i don�*t thinkjeremy will get anywhere, and i think he is putting himself above the party that gave him all the opportunities that he has had down the years. ibthd gave him all the opportunities that he has had down the years. and diane abbott? diane — he has had down the years. and diane abbott? diane abbott, _ he has had down the years. and diane abbott? diane abbott, well, - he has had down the years. and diane abbott? diane abbott, well, one - he has had down the years. and diane abbott? diane abbott, well, one of. abbott? diane abbott, well, one of the thin t s abbott? diane abbott, well, one of the things we _ abbott? diane abbott, well, one of the things we did _ abbott? diane abbott, well, one of the things we did after _ abbott? diane abbott, well, one of the things we did after the - abbott? diane abbott, well, one of the things we did after the corbyn i the things we did after the corbyn era was to remove the politicians from the process of considering the behaviour of individual mps, so i don�*t want to comment on it. she will be considered in a completely

objective way by the national executive committee and the party, and that is how it should be, it shouldn�*t be a political decision, it should be a decision taken on what she has done, what she intends to do in the future, and i leave it to do in the future, and i leave it to others to make thatjudgment. just briefly, margaret, if younger people are watching and thinking of a career in politics, would you recommend it, despite it being incredibly tough, long hours, very divisive public debate out there, toxic at times? i divisive public debate out there, toxic at times?— divisive public debate out there, toxic at times? i think it is a very privileged _ toxic at times? i think it is a very privileged j'ob _ toxic at times? i think it is a very privileged job to _ toxic at times? i think it is a very privileged job to have, _ toxic at times? i think it is a very privileged job to have, but - toxic at times? i think it is a very privileged job to have, but if- toxic at times? i think it is a very privileged job to have, but if you | privileged job to have, but if you want to change the world, there is no better way than making it through politics. but i would say these two things. one is that we have got to restore confidence in politics, i think that we have lost a lot of that over the last... may be since the borisjohnson era, and there has been too much people not standing by ethical principles, proper ethical principles in the way that they behave as mps, and too much money, often dirty money buying people

access to jobs, access to ministers, access to jobs, access to ministers, access to jobs, access to ministers, access to peerages and honours. that has all got to go, and then i think we have got to restore, i think the next generation have got a realjob to do in restoring trust in politics, and that involves listening to people and listening to constituents, what matters to them, acting where you can, and reflecting their priorities in the work you do, notjust in the constituency but here in westminster. democracy is precious, politics matters, and politicians have a real duty to actually preserve democracy and restore confidence in the process. dame margaret hodge, thank you so much forjoining us today, very good to speak to. also leaving as former pm theresa may. it also leaving as former pm theresa ma . . also leaving as former pm theresa ma . , ., also leaving as former pm theresa ma. , ., may. it is important, powerful as these places _

may. it is important, powerful as these places and _ may. it is important, powerful as these places and powerful- may. it is important, powerful as these places and powerful as - may. it is important, powerful as| these places and powerful as mps may. it is important, powerful as- these places and powerful as mps may feel they— these places and powerful as mps may feel they are, that they should also recognise _ feel they are, that they should also recognise there are those who do not have that _ recognise there are those who do not have that power, an mp should be there _ have that power, an mp should be there for— have that power, an mp should be there for everybody and should give that voice _ there for everybody and should give that voice to the voiceless. and there _ that voice to the voiceless. and there has— that voice to the voiceless. and there has been work on a number of issues _ there has been work on a number of issues across — there has been work on a number of issues across this house to do just that over— issues across this house to do just that over the years, and i'm pleased to have _ that over the years, and i'm pleased to have been able to help in some of that work _ to have been able to help in some of that work. and then my final comment about— that work. and then my final comment about responsibility is about the 'ob about responsibility is about the job of— about responsibility is about the job of being a member of parliament. ithink— job of being a member of parliament. i think it _ job of being a member of parliament. i think it is _ job of being a member of parliament. i think it is the bestjob in the world — i think it is the best 'ob in the world. .. .. i think it is the best job in the world-_ of - i think it is the best job in the j world._ of course, i think it is the best job in the l world._ of course, it i think it is the best job in the - world._ of course, it has world. hear, hear! of course, it has its frustrations, _ world. hear, hear! of course, it has its frustrations, especially - world. hear, hear! of course, it has its frustrations, especially when - its frustrations, especially when you are — its frustrations, especially when you are in — its frustrations, especially when you are in government and people do not vote. _ you are in government and people do not vote. on— you are in government and people do not vote, on your own side! three times! _ times! laughter but there we are, we get over these things. _ but there we are, we get over these things. we _ but there we are, we get over these things, we carry on, we come back. but it— things, we carry on, we come back. but it is— things, we carry on, we come back. but it is a _ things, we carry on, we come back. but it is a really importantjob, and the — but it is a really importantjob, and the key to weight is to

represent constituents. and i worry, and i_ represent constituents. and i worry, and i have _ represent constituents. and i worry, and i have said this elsewhere, i'll say it— and i have said this elsewhere, i'll say it here — and i have said this elsewhere, i'll say it here in this chamber, i worry that today— say it here in this chamber, i worry that today there are too many people in politics _ that today there are too many people in politics who think it is about them — in politics who think it is about them - — in politics who think it is about them — their ambitions, in politics who think it is about them — theirambitions, their careers. _ them — theirambitions, their careers, and not about the people they serve — careers, and not about the people they serve. and being a member of parliament— they serve. and being a member of parliament is a public service. we are there — parliament is a public service. we are there to— parliament is a public service. we are there to serve our country and to serve _ are there to serve our country and to serve our— are there to serve our country and to serve our constituents. i've enjoyed — to serve our constituents. i've enjoyed my time, as i have indicated, it has had its ups and downs. — indicated, it has had its ups and downs. but— indicated, it has had its ups and downs, but i have enjoyed my time. i can say— downs, but i have enjoyed my time. i can say to _ downs, but i have enjoyed my time. i can say to all — downs, but i have enjoyed my time. i can say to all those on these benches. _ can say to all those on these benches, i spent 13 years in opposition, you do not want to do that - _ opposition, you do not want to do that - go — opposition, you do not want to do that — go out there and fight to make _ that — go out there and fight to make sure _ that — go out there and fight to make sure the conservative government is re—elected at the election — government is re—elected at the election i— government is re—elected at the election. i wish my successor in the new maidenhead constituency all the very best _ new maidenhead constituency all the very best. and to all those who return — very best. and to all those who return to — very best. and to all those who return to this chamber after the

election. — return to this chamber after the election. i— return to this chamber after the election, i ask only that they remember the importance of our democracy, that they can be a voice for the _ democracy, that they can be a voice for the voiceless, and that their 'ob for the voiceless, and that their job there — for the voiceless, and that their job there is not to advance themselves, but to serve the people who elected them.— who elected them. former prime minister. one _ who elected them. former prime minister. one wonders _ who elected them. former prime minister. one wonders how- who elected them. former prime j minister. one wonders how many who elected them. former prime - minister. one wonders how many mps will show up on podcasts in the next few months! that is no comment on theresa may, i should say! meanwhile, harriet harman, who was also once leader of her party for a time in 2015, gave herfinal speech to members, revealing he�*s stood up in the house more than 9,000 times. so this is my last speech. but the house of commons records show that i�*ve spoken in this chamber 9880 times. but i have to say that when you... i have to say that when you discover that the prime minister was over two years old when you were

first elected, you realise it is time to on. but every time i have spokenin time to on. but every time i have spoken in this chamber, i have had a profound sense of how important this houseis profound sense of how important this house is and what a great honour and privilege it is to be a member of this parliament. and through good times and bad, i have felt that a great sense of responsibility and privilege to my constituents. harriet harman there. the outgoing defence secretary, ben wallace, has also been having his last say in the house of commons. and the final thing i would say as an election is approaching, we are already in it almost, is that i always tried to make sure that defence was a core part of government, not a discretionary spend stuck on the end. we hear on all sides of this house lines like "defence doesn�*t win elections." well, it can lose them. i live in the north west of england, and i�*m not trying to be

party political, but loyal, patriotic labour voters rejected the labour party in 2019 because they felt that leader at that time didn�*t care about defence and them. defence matters. defence is not an add—on after health and education. when we come to our manifestos, please, invest in defence, make sure it is core. don�*t let leaders say things like when economic conditions allow. we don�*t say that about health, we don�*t say that about education because i am frightened, having read so much intelligence for so many years, that by the end of this decade, if our armed forces and our security services are not match fit for the threat that is coming our way, we will only have ourselves to blame, and it is our children that might have to go and fight for us. and they deserve to be as protected as possible with the best equipment and the best allies.

former defence secretary ben wallace, who played such a prominent role with the ukraine conflict. so very many well—known names are not going to be in the next parliament, whenever we see that resuming, so most of them will not have seen the shock of the end of parliament coming, they will have been taken by surprise by that election injuly. one of the stories we�*ve been reporting this morning is that the former labour leader jeremy corbyn has confirmed he will stand against labour as an independent candidate in islington north, a constituency he has represented for more than 40 years. bbc london�*s nicky ford has been getting local reaction and sent this report. it was just after eight o�*clock this morning when it was announced thatjeremy corbyn, the current mp in this constituency of islington north, announced he was going to fight the next election as an independent candidate. now, he has been the mp here

for 40 years and to think that he led the labour party into the last general election just shows what a journey he�*s had here. he lost the labour whip in 2020 following a response to a report on anti—semitism within the labour party, which he said the response was dramatically overstated. he has been sitting as an independent mp since then, and now he�*s going to stand as an independent. what did the voters think of that? i think it�*s absolutely brilliant... the greatest prime minister we never had. yeah, i mean, labourare putting a candidate forward that everybody in the area regardless is going to vote forjeremy. i it will be quite a symbolic seatl if he manages to hold it because it will kind of represent i a division in the direction the labour party has taken. good luck to them all, i say, you know? i don�*t care who does the job, just do a good one, that�*s all i can ask. well, the constituency labour party headquarters are just down there and they are busy selecting

their own candidate to stand here. they�*ve whittled it down to two, and they will be deciding who will run here byjune1st. but he�*s a very popular local mp, from what i can gather from talking to people here. so they will have a bit of a fight on their hands, but they will be throwing everything they�*ve got at winning this seat. the energy regulator 0fgem has announced that the price cap — the amount paid by a typical household for each unit of energy — will go down. at the moment, the cap is £1,690 a yearfor an average home in england, wales and scotland, which is two or three people in a two or three bedroom house. from july until the end of september, it�*ll drop to £1,568 a year for that same household, meaning an average saving of £122 across a year. our cost of living correspondent colletta smith reports. energy prices are always a hot topic

in michelle�*s salon. bills at home have, like, tripled. although you hear it is coming down, you have no confidence that it actually will, not significantly for you not to have to save, not to have to budget more. my direct debit certainly hasn�*t come down, you know? today�*s announcement is the second consecutive fall in the price cap within six months. it is good news we are getting a reduction in the price cap now but that is not the direction of travel. it is expected to tip up again as we get into autumn and winter, so there is no room for any complacency. you might want the cost of living crisis to be over but it isn�*t and we can expect energy prices to go up again as we get into the end of the year. would it make a bit of a difference if you paid a bit less, do you think? possibly. i don't know.

it depends how much it takes off monthly. you wouldn't really feel it, would you? j to be honest with you. you spread that over a year... no. anything will make a difference. it is all part of the vast increases we are getting with everything, not just with energy, but anything would help. the regulator says standing charges shouldn�*t increase injuly and each unit of electricity will now be 2p cheaper and gas will drop by 0.5p per unit. that adds up to an annual saving of £122 for a typical home. today�*s news will be a relief for millions of households who have been struggling to pay their high energy bills and, of course, it comes at a time through the summer where most of us expect to spend less on our energy anyway because of the lovely weather we are experiencing. but for a lot of households, they have to have high energy use throughout the whole year. deborah depends on charging her wheelchairs in order to get out and to move around her home. the lowering is still not enough to pay for my wheelchair to be charged every day. this time i have had to put my gas electric bill, energy bill, on my credit card and hopefully pay for it the following month when i have a bit more money.

so, summer, slightly lower bills for you, then, it must be... yes, a little bit, but that then is saved up for the winter bills. you know, i don�*t have that extra money, i have to save it, all that extra money from summer, to pay for the winter bills. today�*s reduction won�*t solve the problems for those already struggling with their bills. colette smith, bbc news, in wigan. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with ben rich. hello. the bank holiday is unlikely to be as wet as recent days, it promises to bring a bit of sunshine, today brought some sunshine, but that is not the whole story, there will also be slow—moving and thundery downpours. as we head through this evening and tonight, the cloud that has been with us for the last few days will continue to break up. we

may keep a bit more in the way of cloud across parts of northern ireland, southern and south—western scotland, rain and drizzle here, and where we see clear spells, across england and wales, there will be mist and fog patches that will turn really quite chilly, may be down to three degrees in some rural parts of mid wales. as we head into tomorrow, this weather system will bring rain into eastern counties, this front will eventually bring rain in towards the west, and in between early mist and murk clearing to give some spells of sunshine, just one or two passing showers. it looks like we will see rain across east anglia, may be cringing into eastern counties of england. more cloud here, that will take the edge off the temperatures, 15—16 for some eastern coast. the best of the sunshine, south—east england, northern scotland, 21 degrees. rain pushing into the south—west of england, parts of wales, eventually into northern ireland through the evening, through the night and into

sunday. through sunday, these two separate weather systems will just break apart into a mixture of sunny spells and showers. some of the showers will be heavy and thundery. the greatest chance of thunderstorms probably across england and wales, but you could catch a heavy downpour just about anywhere, the downpours slow—moving and could give a lot of rain in a short space of time. conversely, some places will avoid the showers and stay dry. into a bank holiday monday, the focus for the heaviest showers may shiftjust a little bit further northwards, parts of eastern and northern england up into scotland, not as many showers for the west, particularly for the south—west a week ridge of high pressure just briefly trying to build in across western areas. it will not last long, we see further frontal systems pushing in from the west. it does not quite unsettled through next week, but it won�*t be raining all the time. there will still be some spells of sunshine.

live from london. this is bbc news. a sprint start to a six—week marathon. political leaders dash across the uk, campaigning for the fourth ofjuly election. meanwhile in the house of commons — outgoing mps and former party leaders have been making theirfinal speeches to members before standing down. also this hour — at the inquiry into the post office scandal former boss paula vennells is accusing of living in "la—la land" and acting duplicitously. did the mask slip in this e—mail, mrs vennells?

four people are killed after a two—storey restaurant building collapses on the spanish island of mallorca. hello, i�*m gita. the leaders of the main political parties are back out on the campaign trail after the surprise announcement of a general election on the 4th ofjuly. the westminster parliament will officially be disolved today, with one of the prime minister�*s key policies not scheduled to be signed into law before the deadline. the bill would have prevented anyone born after two—thousand—and—nine from ever legally smoking in the uk, by gradually raising the minimum the bill would have prevented anyone born after 2009 from ever legally smoking in the uk, by gradually raising the minimum age to buy cigarettes. and almost 120 mps say they are stepping down and not standing again.

earlier, rishi sunak accused the labour leader, keir starmer, of lacking the "courage" to take part in weekly televised debates during the campaign. i have heard this morning that he said he wanted to debate the british people rather than me. i think what the british people want are answers. answers to the questions about what he would actually do if he became prime minister and how much it is going to cost them in higher taxes. i think those are the answers he should be providing. for my part, i am very happy to debate keir starmer so that i can set out what i want to do for this country, taking bold action, working towards a clear plan and delivering a secure future for everyone. that is the choice in this election. it is either going to be keir starmer or me that is prime minister onjuly the 5th and he should want to debate me, i want to debate him. i hope that he takes up the offer. labour had indicated that rather than the six showdowns proposed by the tories, keir starmer would agree to meet rishi sunak on the two broadcasters with the largest audience — the bbc and itv.

there will be debates, but i could debate the prime minister once or 100 times, i know what he is going to say, he is going to stand there and say everything is fine, the cost of living crisis is over, the nhs is brilliant, nobody is struggling. we hear that every week at prime minister�*s questions, we have that debate. i want to talk directly to voters about what labour is offering and why this is an election which is all about change. will meanwhile, the leader of the liberal democrats ed davey has been on a campaign trail too. he�*s been speaking to voters in eastbourne. it�*s so good to be here in eastbourne because liberal democrats are bringing change to eastbourne and we are bringing change across our country, particularly across the south of england where everybody knows now that if you want to beat the conservatives you vote liberal democrat. and people want the conservatives out. they have made such a mess of our country, on the economy, on the health service, on the environment, on things like sewage, and we are determined to beat

as many conservative mps as we possibly can. let�*s speak to our reporter, rowan bridge, who�*s let�*s speak to our reporter, hannah miller. have they managed to get the campaign programme up and running? rishi sunak and the conservative party have the advantage. they had the chance to get their plans in place and kind of get around the nations of the uk very very quickly, but i think all the parties have been prepared for quite some time for an election this year, and it coming injuly when many of them would say they had been ready for it in may when the local elections were running, i think when we look at today, it�*s been a kind of up and down day for both the conservative

party and for labour. rishi sunak has been in belfast where he visited the titanic quarter and faced question from one reporter about whether he was leading a sinking ship to the kind of predictable laughter around that. he has also had the disappointment of hearing that his smoking bill won�*t make it through parliament, and has recently beenin through parliament, and has recently been in the west midlands as well. the labour leader keir starmer went to scotland today, an opportunity for him to try and appeal to voters in scotland where the party really needs to win a quite significant number of seats if it�*s to get a majority in the house of commons. he�*s been talking a bit about policy. he was asked about tuition fees in scotland,, he said he wouldn�*t commit to scrubbing university tuition fees because he said cutting nhs waiting list wasn�*t report priority and he was also asked about the two child benefit which he said he won�*t repeal

because his party would have the resources. and labour have also faced questions aboutjeremy corbyn, theirformer faced questions aboutjeremy corbyn, their former leader faced questions aboutjeremy corbyn, theirformer leader in faced questions aboutjeremy corbyn, their former leader in 2019, leading their former leader in 2019, leading the party into the general election, now standing against them as an independent candidate. so it kind of up—and—down day for both the leaders of the conservative and the labour party. but a long way to go through the election campaign of course, and these days will have highs and lows for each of them all throughout the campaign. but for each of them all throughout the cam atain. �* .. for each of them all throughout the cam-tain. �* ., ., , for each of them all throughout the cam-tain. �* .. . , campaign. but are the leaders so far already repeating — campaign. but are the leaders so far already repeating themselves - campaign. but are the leaders so far already repeating themselves in - already repeating themselves in their campaign speeches, and is it a risk that six weeks of this is going to feel a bit dull and we�*lljust notice the gaps that we were bound to notice from anybody. ldisihat notice the gaps that we were bound to notice from anybody.— to notice from anybody. what you would hope _ to notice from anybody. what you would hope to _ to notice from anybody. what you would hope to get _ to notice from anybody. what you would hope to get into _ to notice from anybody. what you would hope to get into is - to notice from anybody. what you would hope to get into is a - to notice from anybody. what youj would hope to get into is a proper debate between differences between our policies, there are differences between the two parties in terms of their priorities and the ways in which they would go about tackling some of the big issues that are facing the country. but i think, yes, so far, we are certainly seeing

the conservative party wanting to talk about the economy using the launch pad of the election as getting inflation down to 2.3% and taking the credit for that which some would raise an eyebrow at, but certainly trying to argue that they have enabled the economy to turn something of a corner, and going along those lines with labour laying the blame for the pain, economic pain that many people have faced at the hands of the conservative party. i think those kind of arguments, the arguments about immigration and plans around that, but also kind of the extent to which this may become a campaign that is rishi sunak versus keir starmer as opposed to the labour party versus the conservative party, it would certainly suit rishi sunak, i think, to seem to be distancing himself a little bit from the party around which has been somewhat damaged in recent years. where is keir starmer wanting to kind of claimed that his

party now has changed and represents change to the public. so i think a lot of the kind of language that we heard on day one we then heard on day two and we are now kind of hearing again and again. the extent to which, it really cuts through to people listening to it and whether people listening to it and whether people really start to kind of believe in either of the leaders or have their minds changed at all i think is that this stage very unclear. . think is that this stage very unclear. , ., , ., , unclear. given the conservatives were in the _ unclear. given the conservatives were in the position _ unclear. given the conservatives were in the position of _ unclear. given the conservatives were in the position of calling i unclear. given the conservativesl were in the position of calling the election, is it surprising that they haven�*t even got all their candidates in place? huge number of seats haven�*t got a candidate and labour still haven�*t filled seats very quickly and given names. more and more. — very quickly and given names. more and more. as— very quickly and given names. more and more, as we _ very quickly and given names. more and more, as we for— very quickly and given names. more and more, as we for today, - very quickly and given names. jre and more, as we for today, more and more mps announcing that they won�*t be standing. i think the latest total which might even have gone up again, the latest total so far is 119 mp5 again, the latest total so far is 119 mps now saying they are not standing come of some of them of course had announced this before and

there are replacement candidates in place. others have announced this relatively recently and that is more mps, relatively recently and that is more mp5, it relatively recently and that is more mps, it will be more change in the house of commons and then had been announced in 1997. slightly fewer than in 2010, still. and i think, you know, there are going to be sort of karma to some extent, rushed decisions about candidates in certain places for all of the parties, not... inevitably lead to some scrutiny exactly who is standing and where, and that selection process in islington north particularly for the labour party where jeremy corbyn particularly for the labour party wherejeremy corbyn has no chosen to stand as an independent candidate, thatis stand as an independent candidate, that is one where the labour party have had to move quite quickly to get a candidate in place and passed the kind of normal processes in the

way these things would have usually happen. way these things would have usually ha 0 sen, ., ., way these things would have usually has ten, ., ., ~ way these things would have usually ha en, ., ., ' ., " way these things would have usually ha en, ., ., ~ ., 4' happen. hannah miller, thank you ve much happen. hannah miller, thank you very much indeed. _ meanwhile, a parliamentary committee has written to rishi sunak to say the government should be prepared for the possibility of foreign interference during the general election. the letter calls on the electoral commission — the independent body overseeing elections — to issue guidance on how to spot deepfakes and other types of misinformation online — warning members of the public may not fully understand how these threats may appear. our security correspondent gordon corera explained more on this earlier. this is thejoint this is the joint committee chaired by margaret beckett mp, writing a letter. they�*ve been investigating this issue for some time, now the election has been called they�*ve written to the prior minutes, rishi sunak, calling for action as fast as possible effectively because of this risk of foreign interference. what could that be? well, in the past there have been talks of cyber attacks, back in 2019 there was talks about information having been hacked and leaked by foreign states,

rushed in that case. and also this growing fear about deep fake technology, could you have messages purporting to be somebody but actually not really them? taste purporting to be somebody but actually not really them? we saw that with joe _ actually not really them? we saw that with joe biden _ actually not really them? we saw that with joe biden in... - actually not really them? we saw that with joe biden in... that's i that with joe biden in... that's ri t ht, that with joe biden in... that's right. there — that with joe biden in... that's right, there was _ that with joe biden in... that's right, there was a _ that with joe biden in... that's right, there was a robo - that with joe biden in... that's right, there was a robo call i that with joe biden in... that's right, there was a robo call asj right, there was a robo call as it�*s called, with joe right, there was a robo call as it�*s called, withjoe biden�*s ways but wasn�*t actually him telling people to save their vote in the new hampshire primary. we have seen others like said he can�*t hear in the uk. so they must prepare as fast as possible for that possibility, they�*re asking the electoral commission to put out the device, and just greater awareness and focus on that possibility in case something does happen during the election campaign. bud something does happen during the election campaign.— election campaign. and it can be very difficult _ election campaign. and it can be very difficult to _ election campaign. and it can be very difficult to spot _ election campaign. and it can be very difficult to spot these - election campaign. and it can be. very difficult to spot these things. is there any possibility that the tech companies will be forced to take further action and try to monitor this?— take further action and try to monitor this? j , .., monitor this? they've been called before this _ monitor this? they've been called before this committee _ monitor this? they've been called before this committee to - monitor this? they've been called before this committee to be - monitor this? they've been called| before this committee to be asked that question, but obviously time is running out now with the election

being called. there�*s talk about you can try and watermark videos to show whether they contain deep fake material or not, so there are some techniques. but i think there is a limit on that and so there will be a lot of pressure if anything emerges, for the media, for others, for groups to be able to spot it and call it out fast before it spreads. but it is a new environment. technology is moving fast, and the regulation and ability to spot this and deal with it has not necessarily caught up. stand and deal with it has not necessarily cawht u-. . ., and deal with it has not necessarily cam-htu, . ., and deal with it has not necessarily cam-htu, ., ., , caught up. and what would be the motivation of, _ caught up. and what would be the motivation of, you _ caught up. and what would be the motivation of, you know, - caught up. and what would be the motivation of, you know, foreign l motivation of, you know, foreign countries? we can all speculate as to which countries might involved, have the committee named them? in have the committee named them? ti the past, russia has been accused of directly interfering, back in 2019. also allegations in the us that china might be trying to influence the election, so you do see countries to sometimes cause division, sometimes influence to a particular direction, is not always clear. i think it�*s an open question, particularly because the

election has been called faster than any people expected, whether those countries might try to do anything, whether they have any plans in place, whether they will rush them together, whether they�*ll test things out that they might want to use in the us election, i think it is very uncertain what we might say, if we might see anything. ibthd is very uncertain what we might say, if we might see anything.— if we might see anything. and what kind of things _ if we might see anything. and what kind of things practically _ if we might see anything. and what kind of things practically can - kind of things practically can people do? these might be videos or films where you know, a political leader has purportedly said something that is divisive and embarrassing. the problem is people read this stuff, watch this stuff, click through, by the time is been corrected they might not even see the correction.— the correction. that is one of the challenges. _ the correction. that is one of the challenges, the _ the correction. that is one of the challenges, the speed _ the correction. that is one of the challenges, the speed with - the correction. that is one of the | challenges, the speed with which this material moves on social media. go to trusted sources of information that would put effort into verifying that would put effort into verifying that information and trying to establish where it�*s come from and whether it�*s true or not. i think that will be important and it will be an interesting test to see whether things can be fought ——

spotted and how much they can do. it's spotted and how much they can do. it�*s a big question as to how much we�*ll see, it�*s hard to know. finally, in terms of if people are not sure, and if it isn�*t on the bbc website or other trusted provider, what we do at the bbc is we try to double source, triple source any question, don�*t we? we look at a number of different websites. what practical things can people do at home? it practical things can people do at home? . practical things can people do at home? , ., . home? it is looking with a critical e e, but home? it is looking with a critical eye. but rrot _ home? it is looking with a critical eye. but rrot a — home? it is looking with a critical eye, but not a completely - home? it is looking with a critical- eye, but not a completely dismissive i at information that comes in and try to ask, what is the source? is it clear where that video has originated and how it has come from, can you really trace that back in and can you understand it. what are other trusted sources saying about it? and think about it with that kind of perspective. we have seen the information can spread very fast, it does often get debunked to as people look at it carefully. there is an intermediate phase where people can spread it without necessarily knowing themselves. gordon career there on the risks of

disinformation in the campaign. sir keir starmer was asked about martin�*s law which would have increased its security for venues after the manchester arena bombing. parliament has been curtailed more quickly than was expected by the prime minister calling the election, that means a lot of bills that have been announced and were being prepared by the government are just not going to go through parliament and not come into force. this is what keir starmer said being asked about that. ~ ., �* ~' about that. well, i don't think the prime minister _ about that. well, i don't think the prime minister was _ about that. well, i don't think the prime minister was quite - about that. well, i don't think the prime minister was quite straight| prime minister was quite straight with martin�*s mum when he met her. i met her that day as well. and i said to her, i can disclose to you what i said to her, i asked her if it was all right to do so. i said the prime minister has committed to getting it through, we will vote for it so we can get it through. i said if he

doesn�*t get it through, we will do it as a priority for an incoming labor�*s government, if we are privileged enough to come and does her. i said that drifts her on wednesday, i�*ll say it again today, obviously the prime minister in my view wasn�*t being straight with her. but we are privileged enough to come into power, we�*ll make it a priority for an into power, we�*ll make it a priority foran incoming labour into power, we�*ll make it a priority for an incoming labour government. second questioning, corbin put a statement out about standing as an independent candidate. is he right... islington north rather than getting members there a choice? i getting members there a choice? i thinkjeremy corbyn's days of thinkjeremy corbyn�*s days of commenting on what the labour party is doing are over. what i�*ve done is put a cohort of excellent candidates across the whole country, including in islington north because the choice of the election isn�*t in north or wherever you are in the country, is between more of the

chaos and decline and division that we�*ve seen over the last 14 years, which has got us absolutely nowhere, or turning a page and a fresh start, and rebuilding with labour mac. that�*s the choice in islington north and that�*s why i�*m intense it to having the best quality labour candidates everywhere including islington north. let�*s speak to peter kyle, the shadow secretary of state for science, innovation and technology. thanks forjoining us, peter, i don�*t know whether you could hear keir starmer there, don�*t know whether you could hear keir starmerthere, he don�*t know whether you could hear keir starmer there, he was being asked aboutjeremy corbyn and he has said his mission is to be inclusive, appealed to as many people in the country as possible, and that�*s why he is welcomed natalie elphicke, who has defected from the conservatives. if you could have natalie elphicke being an mp for the labour party, why can�*t you havejeremy being an mp for the labour party, why can�*t you have jeremy corbyn being an mp for the labour party, why can�*t you havejeremy corbyn and diane abbott? why can't you have jeremy corbyn and diane abbott?— why can't you have jeremy corbyn and diane abbott? when it came to jeremy corb n, a diane abbott? when it came to jeremy corbyn. a process _ diane abbott? when it came to jeremy corbyn, a process unfolded. _ diane abbott? when it came to jeremy corbyn, a process unfolded. he - corbyn, a process unfolded. he refused to recognise the hrc report

all that time ago, keir starmer no better example of how he has change the labour party, acted decisively and refused to allowjeremy to sit as a labour mp. he is no longer a member of the labour party. keir starmer he has fixed the labour party, we are now a party that is fit for serve britain from a position of government. natalie elphicke is quite straightforward. she decided when she looked at the party that she was in at the time and their plans and lack of credibility when it came to tackling those small boats and immigration and housing, she decided their plans weren�*t credible but the labour party�*s plans were credible. she joined the party because of our values and principles and the plans for government to tackle the big issues our country faces. it of course explains perfectly well why germany is not fit for sitting as a labour mp but natalie i�*ll think it is, and she standing down in the next election, this election and the next election, this election and the next six weeks is about change and

the country has six weeks to choose a party that can change our country for the better, and we�*ve outlined six steps that we want to take forward from day one.- six steps that we want to take forward from day one. diane abbott, should be allowed _ forward from day one. diane abbott, should be allowed to _ forward from day one. diane abbott, should be allowed to stand _ forward from day one. diane abbott, should be allowed to stand for- forward from day one. diane abbott, should be allowed to stand for a - should be allowed to stand for a labour mp, orto end herterm? fixing a party and getting it ready for service... fixing a party and getting it ready forservice... i believe fixing a party and getting it ready for service... i believe the process will be wrapped up in the coming days but it is not for people like me and keir starmer as leader to interfere in disciplinary process or processes relating to standards. they are now dealt with it independently, that is a reassurance to the public that we will act to the best interests of the public when it comes to the way we conduct our internal business as well as acting as a government in waiting, hopefully, and the government belong the —— beyond the election. it will be dealt with swiftly now that we are in an election but done

independently.— are in an election but done inde-endentl . , ., , �* independently. the plans you've outlined so _ independently. the plans you've outlined so far, _ independently. the plans you've outlined so far, six _ independently. the plans you've outlined so far, six initial- independently. the plans you've outlined so far, six initial first i outlined so far, six initial first steps, would say that they are under ambitious given the scale of the challenges example to funding and changing public services, it was the labour party really being honest with the public about the scale of the challenges ahead, and how on earth you�*re going to pay for that? isn�*t increasing tax a very real possibility if labour win? taste isn't increasing tax a very real possibility if labour win? we are not possibility if labour win? we are rrot intending — possibility if labour win? we are not intending to _ possibility if labour win? we are not intending to put _ possibility if labour win? we are not intending to put taxes - possibility if labour win? we are not intending to put taxes up i possibility if labour win? we are not intending to put taxes up on| not intending to put taxes up on it working families, we want to lower the tax burden on hard—working families up and down the country because we are at a 70 year high in taxation because of the way the tories have mismanaged the economy. we�*ve been very upfront with the public that we are going to them with an offer of a decade of national renewal because some of the challenges our country faces with broken public services and an economy that is not delivering and broken international relationships, they will take time to deliver, but we are honest about the first steps because if we are taking the country on a decade�*s journey to fix the big

challenges and create new opportunities for people, families and businesses and the wealth creators of our country, people have a right to know what those first steps will be. now if you look at those first steps and add them up starting up with a stable economy, what you�*ll find is a profoundly radical bold programme for most people who live in this country because think what reticle is, if you are an average person living on an average income in this country. getting a doctor�*s appointed for yourself or your family member or yourself or your family member or your child, if you�*re sick, within 24 hours or sometimes even a week is radical in this country. sending your kids to school where the roof isn�*t crumbling and the concrete hasn�*t been fixed because of 14 years of underinvestment, that is radical. sometimes even putting food on the plate of your kid and family if you are in a partnership and you have children and you are both on average income, that is radical because of the way our country and economy has been run. our six steps forward tackle these big issues and will get our country facing the future, ready to exploit new

opportunities, get economic growth in and make sure that growth benefits everyone. the in and make sure that growth benefits everyone. the question is how you're — benefits everyone. the question is how you're going _ benefits everyone. the question is how you're going to _ benefits everyone. the question is how you're going to pay _ benefits everyone. the question is how you're going to pay for - benefits everyone. the question is how you're going to pay for it, - how you�*re going to pay for it, isn�*t it? you say in part you will grow the economy but it takes time generate any revenue view revenue if you can do it. some people leave the uk and you want generate the money that, it sounds like the politics of envy raising small amounts compared to what�*s needed. tithe envy raising small amounts compared to what's needed.— to what's needed. one of our six ste ts to what's needed. one of our six steps forward — to what's needed. one of our six steps forward would _ to what's needed. one of our six steps forward would be - to what's needed. one of our six steps forward would be to - steps forward would be to immediately set up gb energy, a publicly owned clean energy company that will harness the skills, the innovation is the ability we have the country to use our natural resources for public good. double lower bills over time, perhaps even £300, lowering the bills. this puts money directly to people�*s pockets. we can build 1.5 million homes, that�*s a kick—start for our economy. we�*re going to review every piece of

planning regulation, national planning regulation, national planning frameworks we�*re going to monitor —— modernise. many of the country problems faces actually don�*t involve borrowing money spending money or texting more, it just involves running our country properly with keir starmer and his change labour party you see a team with the people, the policies and the politics that can re—orientate our country, give it needs and this is the change that people will be voting for if they choose labour within the next six weeks. the department — within the next six weeks. the department you _ within the next six weeks. the department you are shadowing addresses ar and all the potential changes, we�*ve seen warnings from experts in the field about a potential huge losses in the labour market, and thejobs market potential huge losses in the labour market, and the jobs market for example. are you working on a plan for that? example. are you working on a plan forthat? because example. are you working on a plan for that? because the technological revolution brings great benefits potentially but also potentially coming into, damaging change. i�*lil coming into, damaging change. i'll be coming into, damaging change. l�*ll be working really closely with

angela rayner and her team on how we make sure we can transition our workforce in a way that benefits and harnesses the opportunities that technology like a! presents. you�*ll also see when we start talking more about our programme for government in the area that i represent, the policy areas i represent, yes, safety, and the ability to invest in our workforce and make sure our is facing the future in equipped with the skills we need to face the future but also crucially that we have a government that can capture all of the opportunities that prevent presents because the 0pr just before, just after the last budget before christmas, said if technology including a! is used in our economy properly and throughout the economy, it would create £72 billion worth of fiscal headroom for the treasury. this is technology thatis the treasury. this is technology that is currently available, not stuff into the future. when i see that statistic and circular sees it and we see it in the labour party, we want to go out and grab that

opportunity, and i also asked myself, what would be like to be the secretary of state, the prime minister, in office, to know the potential is there in the economy but choose not to grab it. and that is part of the choice of the public will have. voters will have at this election, choose a party, the tory party and ministers that are already there that are overlooking the opportunities are country house or choose a team, a party, the labour party, that will go out there and grab these opportunities and put them to use for them, for innovators, wealth creators, the people doing businesses and of course, crucially, the workforce, too. �* .. .. course, crucially, the workforce, too. ~ ., ., , too. and have all the departments the government _ too. and have all the departments the government needs, _ too. and have all the departments the government needs, what - too. and have all the departments the government needs, what if. too. and have all the departments| the government needs, what if you do when the election, have you really done the work, the hard graft on developing policy? 0r done the work, the hard graft on developing policy? or are you relying on getting into government using civil service expertise which will delay any change that comes in? people, you know, whoever wins the election they want to see delivery

quickly. election they want to see delivery tuickl . ., �* , quickly. you've seen in the last ear, quickly. you've seen in the last year. keir _ quickly. you've seen in the last year, keir starmer _ quickly. you've seen in the last year, keir starmer last - quickly. you've seen in the last year, keir starmer last year i quickly. you've seen in the last| year, keir starmer last year out stuffed five missions, many of the policy as myself in our area life sciences strategy with the dutch this text are soul it self said would create £10 billion of inward investment into our economy the 17th two thousand 200 jobs. and then you see right now, tori is fleeing the party, leaving in droves, you see the prime minister with his botched announcement of the general election the other day, he says he�*s got a plan but he didn�*t even have a plan to have an umbrella for the rain, and today he�*s standing in front of the titanic, unbelievably, announcing more policies. while we see the labour party preparing for government, doing the hard graft it takes for preparing for government including outlining her plans in starting negotiations that we have with the civil service in the run—up to an election, and you also see a governing party that is preparing for opposition.—

governing party that is preparing for opposition. does keir starmer have the charisma, _ for opposition. does keir starmer have the charisma, you _ for opposition. does keir starmer have the charisma, you know, i for opposition. does keir starmer| have the charisma, you know, the charm, the leadership skills to inspire people to get out and vote onjuly four? and to then lead the country in a period of change as promised?— country in a period of change as tromised? ., �* ., .,, ., promised? you're asking me as a tolitician promised? you're asking me as a politician whether _ promised? you're asking me as a politician whether sir _ promised? you're asking me as a politician whether sir keir - promised? you're asking me as a | politician whether sir keir starmer is exciting. a politician incidentally it was part of a party that has lost the last four elections. he has fixed the labour party, he�*s got it fit to serve the country in government. that is recognised by voters up and down the country which is why we have one so many by elections and why we have had a consistent lead in the polls. nothing to me could be more exciting. the very success the labour party has had in every year that he has been leader of our party, we have moved forward in local elections. we�*ve just won 11 out of 12 mayoral elections in the last local elections, people are responding to his leadership and they are responding to the way he

has changed the labour party and got us fit for service that he is putting forward a raft of policies that are addressing the priorities that are addressing the priorities that they have. care has done a lot for that. that they have. care has done a lot forthat. —— sir that they have. care has done a lot for that. —— sir keir starmer has done a lot for that. this will be a change election, change with keir starmer, a fixed labour party, fit for service, and a set of policies that can really get those first steps of a new government, new direction capitalising on all the potential we have is a country. i think that�*s pretty exciting and none of that happened without keir starmer and what he has done for the party and the country. i�*m starmer and what he has done for the party and the country.— party and the country. i'm just party and the country. i'm 'ust ttoin to party and the country. i'm 'ust going to jet i party and the country. i'm 'ust going to jet you fl party and the country. i'm 'ust going to let you go in i party and the country. i'm 'ust going to let you go in a h party and the country. i'm just. going to let you go in a minute, but ijust want going to let you go in a minute, but i just want to ask you one quick, which you might not have seen because you know obviously the international court ofjustice has ruled this afternoon that israel must hold its military offensive in rafah in southern gaza. the leaders are out campaigning and we�*ve just seen that rishi sunak�*s visit to the west midlands has been hit by

pro—palestinian demonstrators. these are the pictures that we�*ve just got in. we arejust are the pictures that we�*ve just got in. we are just showing our viewers on the screens there. police swooped in to a barricade a venue he was speaking in and the motorcycle got in front of the police, they have now formed a guard to protect that location. protesters chanting, "free palestine". we know this question is divisive for all politicians, we know safety and security for all politicians is really concerning. peter carter, everyone involved and active politics. ijust wondered about your thoughts about going out there on the campaign trail, for everybody now in the next six weeks when there are these very divisive questions internationally. you know, is it a concern, what would you say about this sort of, a concerns.

there�*s the issue of free speech as well. there's the issue of free speech as well. ., ,., ., , there's the issue of free speech as well. ., i, , well. the labour party supports the rule of law. — well. the labour party supports the rule of law. we _ well. the labour party supports the rule of law, we believe _ well. the labour party supports the rule of law, we believe these - well. the labour party supports the j rule of law, we believe these courts should be... when it comes to protesters domestically, it is quite clear. we are now in an election.. the public up and down the country and voters have a right to engage with parties and politicians at representatives of those parties up and on the country, but it must be donein and on the country, but it must be done in a respectful way. there are campaigners who feel equally strongly about a range of issues, there will be people campaigning on housing, on welfare, on poverty and yes on international issues including gaza, palestine and israel. no—one of them has no monopoly on the right to protest and the right to get into the faces of politicians. the best way that they can have an influence is to engage

respectfully of each other. we have to get through turbulent. and if we can cross the line together in this difficult. and we can have an that told respectively —— respectfully, between all involved that would be a great step forward for our country in the way we conduct ourselves because some people feel alienated from politics when they see this kind of protest. and we don�*t want anybody to feel they are being shut out of politics simply because some protesters are acting in this way. peter kyle, sorry to cut in there but thank you very much indeed for spending so much time with us today on bbc news. the shadow minister there for science innovation and technology for the labour party. adam fleming, one of the presenters of newscast, joins us now. what have you got, it�*s a busy day. we will be recording today�*s

episode, if your daily news election podcast and then you can watch a hero of this channeljust podcast and then you can watch a hero of this channel just after seven and download the podcast on bbc sounds. i�*ll be catching up with my broadcasting best buddy, chris mason. i think we�*ll probably kick off by talking aboutjeremy corbyn running as an independent candidate. actually the last two elections. i went filming and jeremy corbyn�*s own back yard. every third orfourth

person would come up and hug him. if he can keep hold of that old he has there, he can get in as an independent candidate. that will be absolutely fascinating. we will also catch up with james cook. if the polls are right, and that means the scottish political picture is so much more interesting. if keir starmer�*s laboured party is more popular. choices that he makes like

getting rid of fossilfuels, how much does that annoy people on the east coast and northeast of scotland who work in oil and gas? it would just be another one of those tests of whether the realignment we thought had happened in british politics after brexit, whether that realignment is going back to where things were before these big political events in british politics. we�*ll be catching up with nick and talking to you. what you see is the very slick version from nick podcasting. what would be the mishaps, and what how much work goes into broadcasting? also our colleague layla. i wanted to take a minute because in a few hours, parliament will be pro—roving, that�*s the password, for setting up

shop. —— the posh word. us as politicaljournalists, that�*s something we experience a lot of. i just want to take a moment to mark the fact that four and a half years of business is coming to an end, and lots of people�*sjobs. of business is coming to an end, and lots of people�*s jobs. that is really genuinely when the election campaign gets under way. you should have seen us battling rain for six hours and my trainers with a hole in them. i�*ll be listening to nick, so many leaving.

they could be a very different parliament. and a reminder that adam, chris and the newscast team will be here on bbc news every day of the election campaign, but you always can catch up any time with them — listen on bbc sounds or watch on the bbc iplayer. good for your daily walk, i would suggest. let�*s catch up with all the sport with paul scott. let�*s start with football. barcelona have sacked their coach xavi, with the former bayern munich and germany national team boss hansi flick set to replace him. a month ago barca persuaded xavi to stay, after he threatened to leave at the end of the season, only to change his mind. but comments about the club�*s financial struggles are said to have angered the club president. he�*ll depart after their final game of the season on sunday,

leaving barca second in the table, a long way behind spanish champions real madrid. one of his predecessors, pep guardiola, says he knows the pressure xavi will have been under at the nou camp. you have to win. you have to be good with many things, otherwise it happens. just once. all of the other ones are failures. i don�*t think so. i don�*t agree with that. doesn�*t matter what happened this season. i will not feel a failure if we do not win the premier league. ahead of the fa cup final between manchester city and manchester united, united�*s goalkeeper andre 0nana has revealed that it took him six months "to feel good" at the premier league club. the cameroon international suffered a difficult start to the season after a big money move from inter milan.

but his form has improved in recent months, as erik ten hag�*s squad prepare to face their manchester rivals at wembley. and boom, it went down. and you see how difficult _ and boom, it went down. and you see how difficult is football sometimes. but it— how difficult is football sometimes. but it depends on you, if you want to stay— but it depends on you, if you want to stay down there or you want to stand _ to stay down there or you want to stand up— to stay down there or you want to stand up and fight. for me in the certain— stand up and fight. for me in the certain moment, it was like, what happened? — certain moment, it was like, what happened? but i decided to not stay there _ happened? but i decided to not stay there i_ happened? but i decided to not stay there. i stood up and fought until there. i stood up and fought until the end _ there. i stood up and fought until the end because i know who i am. i know— the end because i know who i am. i know what— the end because i know who i am. i know what i— the end because i know who i am. i know what i did. never forget what you did _ charles leclerc has been the stand—out performer in practice ahead of the monaco grand prix. the ferrari driver

was born and raised in the principality and proved he knows the tight and twisty street circuit like the back of his hand by topping the timesheets. seven—time world champion lewis hamilton put his mercedes second ahead of the aston martin of fernando alonso. novak djokovic has suffered another defeat ahead of the french open which begins on sunday. the world number one went down in three sets in the semi—finals of the geneva open to czech opponent tomas machac, who�*s through to an atp final for the first time in his career. djokovic, who hasn�*t reached a final this year, begins the defence of his french open title against home favourite pierre—hugues herbert. geraint thomas survived a scare after crashing towards the end of stage 19 of the giro d�*italia. the british rider was was only three and a half miles from the finish, when he suddenly lost control of his bike. because he�*s third overall his rivals followed professional cycling�*s convention of not taking advantage and he was able to catch up and finish with them. the stage was won by italy�*s andrea vendrame. slovenia�*s taday pogarcher maintained his overall lead.

finally, british wheelchair racer hannah cockroft claimed her 16th para athletics world title with a dominant victory seven—time paralympic champion cockroft, in the t34 800m final in kobe injapan. seven—time paralympic champion cockroft, who won the 100 metres on tuesday, set a new championship record — one minute 52.79 seconds. she later added a silver in the universal 4x100 metres relay, to give gb their tenth medal of the championships. and that�*s all the sport for now. back to you. thank you very much indeed. ijust want to update you on breaking news. matthew trickett, and immigration enforcement officer, was found dead in recent days and thames valley police have issued update to say that his death is not being treated as suspicious. matthew trickett, an

immigration enforcement officer, accused of assisting hong kong intelligence services. let�*s turn to news of the election campaign. rowan bridge is in lancashire, where sir keir starmer has been visiting. more significantly, perhaps, i�*m in ribble south, a conservative labour marginal that keir starmer really needs to win. this seat is really a bit of a bellwether for what happens at the general election. it is correctly voting for the winning

party every year since 1997. it went for labour into thousand seven, back to the conservatives in 2010, now it�*s a target labour seat. this is something that�*s definitely in keir starmer�*s site. he came here this afternoon because labour were putting out a press release for their plans for manufacturing. there was a group of her out 40 or so people —— about 40 or so gathered around, it was fairly asked. what people are asking him are about this bread—and—butter issue that you might expect —— relaxed. he talked about labour keeping the triple rock and no plans to raise the pension age. all the sort of bread—and—butter issues that are affecting people in this sort of area. at the end, he was asked about

jeremy corbyn�*s comments about labour choosing a candidate for islington north. he said jeremy corbyn�*s days of commenting on what labour is doing are long over. rowing bridge, thank you very much indeed. it�*s only friday, and there�*s another few weeks. today is a significant day because it is the last day of parliament. craig mackinlay, the mp who returned to parliament this week after having his hands and feet amputated following sepsis, has announced he will not be contesting his thanet south seat it is important. powerful as this place is that mps always recognise that there are those who do not have

that there are those who do not have that power and mps to be there for everybody and should give that voice to the voiceless. there has been work on a number of issues across this house to do just that over the years and i�*m pleased to have been able to help in some of that work. my able to help in some of that work. my final comment about responsibility is the job about being a member of parliament. i think it is the bestjob in the world. of course, it has its frustrations, particularly when you�*re in government and people don�*t vote in your own side! laughter three times! but there we are. we get over these things, we carry on, we come back. but it is a really importantjob, and the key to it is to represent constituents. and i worry, and i wouldn�*t have said this

elsewhere — i worry that today, there are too many people in politics you think it is about them, their ambitions, their careers and not about the people they serve. and being a member of parliament is a public service. we are here to serve our country and to serve our constituents. i�*ve enjoyed my time, as i�*ve indicated. it�*s had its ups and downs, but i�*ve enjoyed my time. i can say to all of these benches, i�*ve spent 13 years in opposition. you do not want to do that. go out there and fight to make sure the conservative government is reelected. i wish my successor in the new maidenhead constituency all the new maidenhead constituency all the very best and to all those who return to this chamber after the election. i ask only that they remember the importance of our democracy, that they can be a voice

for the voiceless and that theirjob here is not to advance themselves, but to serve the people who elected them._ theresa - may there. one of many leaving. just let me update you on one breaking line of news that we�*ve heard in the last few minutes. the death of the ex—royal marine accused of assisting hong kong is not being treated as suspicious. matthew trickett, who is 37 and an immigration officer and private investigator for maidenhead, is also accused of foreign interference and appeared at westminster magistrates�* court. thames valley police said mr trickett was found dead around

5:15pm on sunday. they say the force confirmed on friday that after home—office postmortem, the death is not being treated as suspicious. the police have said that mr trickett�*s family are being supported by specialist officers. that�*s just come into us on pa news agency. former post office boss... the former post office boss paula vennells has been accused of living in "la—la land" and being in a cloud of denial about her role in the horizon it scandal. she�*s been giving evidence for a third and final day at the public inquiry — on the day that a bill quashing the convictions of more than 800 sub—postmasters is due to come in to force. 0n on this third and final day of it depicted the lives of several

sub—postmasters and the ways that their lives have been devastated by this scandal. it also raises questions and potential problems with the horizon it system. let me pick out some direct quotes. she described as hype and human interest. she said she was more bored than outraged. she said joe hamilton, who is depicted in that documentary and also featured in the itv dock you series mr bates versus the post office, she said he lacked passion and admitted to false accounting. she was asked whether this was the mindset during this latter part of the scandal —— docu—series. he asked if the culture she was trying to instill, don�*t write an e—mail what you don�*t want read in court. i

write an e-mail what you don't want read in court-— read in court. i made a mistake here. i generally _ read in court. i made a mistake here. i generally try _ read in court. i made a mistake here. i generally try to - read in court. i made a mistake | here. i generally try to approach things— here. i generally try to approach things by— here. i generally try to approach things by the values that i want the organisation to follow. this is a terrible — organisation to follow. this is a terrible example of where i didn't do that _ terrible example of where i didn't do that. did terrible example of where i didn't do that. , ., ,~' , , , do that. did the mask slip in this e-mail, misses _ do that. did the mask slip in this e-mail, misses one? _ do that. did the mask slip in this e-mail, misses one? -- - do that. did the mask slip in this e-mail, misses one? -- mrs- do that. did the mask slip in this - e-mail, misses one? -- mrs vennells. i made a mistake. _ e-mail, misses one? -- mrs vennells. i made a mistake. is— e-mail, misses one? -- mrs vennells. i made a mistake. is the _ e-mail, misses one? -- mrs vennells. i made a mistake. is the reality - i made a mistake. is the reality that ways _ i made a mistake. is the reality that ways that _ i made a mistake. is the reality that ways that he _ i made a mistake. is the reality that ways that he reflected - i made a mistake. is the reality that ways that he reflected that behind — that ways that he reflected that behind closed _ that ways that he reflected that behind closed doors _ that ways that he reflected that behind closed doors attitude i that ways that he reflected that behind closed doors attitude to| that ways that he reflected that - behind closed doors attitude to your postmasters? — behind closed doors attitude to your postmasters? h0. _ behind closed doors attitude to your postmasters? no. this _ behind closed doors attitude to your postmasters? no. this is _ behind closed doors attitude to your postmasters? no. this is how- behind closed doors attitude to your postmasters? no. this is how you i postmasters? no. this is how you reall felt postmasters? this is how you really felt about postmasters?- this is how you really felt about them, _ postmasters?- this is how you really felt about them, it - postmasters?- this is how you really felt about them, it was - really felt about them, it was important _ really felt about them, it was important to _ really felt about them, it was important to refute _ really felt about them, it was important to refute what - really felt about them, it was | important to refute what they really felt about them, it was - important to refute what they were saying _ important to refute what they were sa int. ., ., ,. ., important to refute what they were sa int. ., ., ,, ., .,, important to refute what they were saint. ., ., ,, ., , saying. no, and i know it has been chosen to be _ saying. no, and i know it has been chosen to be taken _ saying. no, and i know it has been chosen to be taken a _ saying. no, and i know it has been chosen to be taken a different - saying. no, and i know it has been| chosen to be taken a different way, but my— chosen to be taken a different way, but my desire to share details of these _ but my desire to share details of these cases was completely genuine. my desire _ these cases was completely genuine. my desire behind setting up the scheme — my desire behind setting up the scheme was completely genuine.

throughout the day, she was accused of living in la la land and giving up of living in la la land and giving up craven and self—serving account. she was asked how it could be that external lawyers could be informed about the fujitsu it scandal. how they could have known it was a problem with the key witness gareth jenkins, who gave a false statement and was not considered safe for the post office. she was met with a lot of scepticism. listen to some of that pressure she was under. you are responsible for your own, aren't— you are responsible for your own, aren't you? — you are responsible for your own, aren't you?— you are responsible for your own, aren't ou? ., ., aren't you? i... from when the court of a- teal aren't you? i... from when the court of appeal passed _ aren't you? i... from when the court of appeal passed its _ aren't you? i... from when the court of appeal passed itsjudgment, - aren't you? i... from when the court of appeal passed itsjudgment, i - of appeal passed itsjudgment, i lost all— of appeal passed itsjudgment, i lost all the employment that i have had, lost all the employment that i have had. and _ lost all the employment that i have

had, and since that time, i have only— had, and since that time, i have only worked on this inquiry. it has been _ only worked on this inquiry. it has been really— only worked on this inquiry. it has been really important to me to do what _ been really important to me to do what i _ been really important to me to do what i didn't or was unable to do at the time _ what i didn't or was unable to do at the time i— what i didn't or was unable to do at the time i was chief executive, and i the time i was chief executive, and i have _ the time i was chief executive, and i have worked for the last three years— i have worked for the last three years and — i have worked for the last three years and prioritised this above anything — years and prioritised this above anything else. for the last year, it has probably been a full—time job. it is has probably been a full—time job. it is my— has probably been a full—time job. it is my commitment. i have avoided talking _ it is my commitment. i have avoided talking to _ it is my commitment. i have avoided talking to the press because all the way through, i have put this first, perhaps— way through, i have put this first, perhaps to — way through, i have put this first, perhaps to my own detriment. | perhaps to my own detriment. suggest perhaps to my own detriment. i suggest to you that you still continue _ suggest to you that you still continue to— suggest to you that you still continue to live _ suggest to you that you still continue to live in _ suggest to you that you still continue to live in a - suggest to you that you still continue to live in a cloud i suggest to you that you stillj continue to live in a cloud of denial _ she was also accused of keeping the lid on a 2013 report by the independent ferns it investigator second site. she was asked if it was related to the future privatisation of royal mail, happening that same

year. the two companies used to be one. she�*s been emotional in general. the first day, she burst into tears four times. it was emotional the second day as well and the third day, this final day of testimony, was no different. here�*s how she handled the pressure. the risk was too great. looking under— the risk was too great. looking under the — the risk was too great. looking under the rock, _ the risk was too great. looking under the rock, you're - the risk was too great. looking under the rock, you're going i the risk was too great. looking under the rock, you're going toj under the rock, you're going to devastate — under the rock, you're going to devastate the _ under the rock, you're going to devastate the post _ under the rock, you're going to devastate the post office. - under the rock, you're going to devastate the post office. ruin| under the rock, you're going to i devastate the post office. ruin it. you can _ devastate the post office. ruin it. you can let — devastate the post office. ruin it. you can let that _ devastate the post office. ruin it. you can let that happen, - devastate the post office. ruin it. you can let that happen, could i you can let that happen, could you, miss vennells? _ you can let that happen, could you, miss vennells? [— you can let that happen, could you, miss vennells?— miss vennells? i love the post office. i miss vennells? i love the post office- i gave _ miss vennells? i love the post office. i gave it... _ she cries

i worked... as hard as i possibly could _ i worked... as hard as i possibly could to — i worked... as hard as i possibly could to deliver... the best post office _ could to deliver... the best post office for— could to deliver... the best post office for the uk. it would have been _ office for the uk. it would have been wonderful to have 30,000 post office branches. that would have been _ office branches. that would have been the — office branches. that would have been the best outcome ever. more post offices and more communities. what _ post offices and more communities. what i _ post offices and more communities. what i failed to do and i have made this clear— what i failed to do and i have made this clear previously, is i did not recognise — this clear previously, is i did not recognise - _ this clear previously, is i did not recognise — and it's been discussed across— recognise — and it's been discussed across the — recognise — and it's been discussed across the inquiry — the imbalance of power— across the inquiry — the imbalance of power between the institution and the individual and i let these people — the individual and i let these people down. horizon�*s offences bill passed before mps before they broke for the general election. it will quash the

convictions of hundreds of sub—postmasters who are found guilty as part of the horizon it scandal, what timing for this to happen at the same time as this final day of testimony. some bills going through quickly today, some others dropped. just let me update you on what happened a little earlier on the campaign trail because the prime minister was... encountered some protesters on the final leg of his tour. he was visiting a school in the midlands. here�*s what he have to say. i�*m not also bothered by protesters. all they did was delayed me from talking to the young people about the incredible opportunities that lie ahead of them. i had a great privilege of talking to the apprentices here. that�*s something i�*m glad we have championed. giving

young people that opportunity to have fantastic lives. great to talk to them about their aspirations. the labour party is still clinging to the notion that everyone should go to university, and their policies very clearly will have the numbers of apprenticeships. that�*s a clear choice on offer at this election. i want to give a secure future for everyone, particularly young people, and apprenticeships are great way. rishi sunak there. the un�*s highest court has ruled that most must hold its offensive. the case was brought by south africa, accusing israel of island need the convention in gaza. there will be a lot of attention on howjoe biden responds. there were calls by hamas

for this to be enforced. whether thatis for this to be enforced. whether that is possible is not really clear. 0ne that is possible is not really clear. one question that many people will watch. many leaders finding themselves in a position amongst this unfolding war. much more coming up this unfolding war. much more coming up of course in the coming hours. from me, bye for now. i�*m going to leave you with the look of the weather. it does promise to bring some sunshine, and today brought a bit of sunshine, and today brought a bit of sunshine for the sun —— some of us, but that isn�*t the whole story. there will also be some slow moving, heavy, thundery downpours. as we head through this evening and tonight, the cloud that�*s been with us will be breaking up. we may keep more in

the way of cloud across parts of northern ireland and southwestern scotland. where we do see some clear spells across parts of england and wales, there will be a few mist and fog patches. it will turn really quite chilly, maybe down to three degrees. as we head into tomorrow, this weather system will try to bring some rain into eastern counties. this front will eventually bring rain in towards the west. early mist and murk clearing to give spells of sunshine and passing showers. it looks like we will see rain across east anglia, may be infringing into other counties, more cloud here as well. that will take the temperatures, maybejust cloud here as well. that will take the temperatures, maybe just 15—16 degrees for some. 20 or 21 for and scotland. we will see rain pushing into the southwest of england, parts of wales eventually getting to parts of wales eventually getting to parts of northern ireland to get through the evening. to the night into sunday. through sunday, these two separate weather systems will just

break apart into a mixture of sunny spells and showers. some of those will be heavy and thundery. the greatest chance probably across england and wales, but you can catch a heavy downpour anywhere. some places will avoid the showers and stay dry. the focus may shift just a little bit further northwards. not as many showers further west, particularly further southwest, a weak ridge of high pressure briefly trying to build in across western area. it won�*t last long and we see further frontal systems putting in further frontal systems putting in further west. further frontal systems putting in furtherwest. it further frontal systems putting in further west. it is looked quite unsettled through next week, but it will be raining all the time. there will be raining all the time. there will still be some spells of sunshine.

today at six: hundreds of subpostmasters caught up in the faulty horizon it scandal will have their convictions forfraud quashed today by parliament. it comes as the former post office boss paula vennells admits she let the victims down. i did my very best through this, and it wasn�*t good enough, and that is a regret i carry with me. the united nations�* highest court orders israel to halt its military operations in southern gaza. it�*s the last day ever in the commons for some very familiarfaces, as parliament rises, and leaders campaign for the election.

energy bills are due to fall again from july, as the watchdog lowers the price cap. and going for the double—double — both manchester city and celtic are hoping to repeat last year�*s cup success. and coming up on bbc news where next for the boy wonder? we�*ll be asking how far luke littler can go after his sensational win at the premier league darts finale. good evening. it�*s been a fight that�*s lasted a quarter of a century and today hundreds of subpostmasters who�*ve struggled for years to clear their names after being prosecuted for fraud will have their convictions quashed by parliament. it comes on the day when the former post office boss paula vennells admitted to the public inquiry that she was very aware that she had

let the subpostmasters down — although she insisted she did not deal in deception.