meet the leader kim jeng. to meet the leader kim jong. millions have until midnight tonight to register to vote in the general election. and singerjustin timberlake is of rest in the you and us on drink—driving charges. and welcome to the programme. we will start with the general election. british billionaire entrepreneur whojohn election. british billionaire entrepreneur who john caldwell who gave the conservatives half £1 million before the last general election is told the bbc he will vote labour for the first time. he says he thought rishi sunak was an absolute that and said the labour leader keir starmer hits this brought on a lot of issues for him. he invited our political editor chris mason to his house this afternoon. you are now saying back

labour, wyatt? the afternoon. you are now saying back labour, wyatt?— afternoon. you are now saying back labour, wyatt? the reason of course for backin: labour, wyatt? the reason of course for backing the _ labour, wyatt? the reason of course for backing the conservatives - labour, wyatt? the reason of course for backing the conservatives as - labour, wyatt? the reason of course for backing the conservatives as you | for backing the conservatives as you can possibly stand a corby government and isolate the exact same view there but what i have witnessed over the last couple of years with keir starmer in the labour government is a complete change getting rid of the loony left where the extreme socialist policies rather than creating a wealthy britain and what i see as a liberal party committed to gdp growth, committed to the environment and they are my two big hot buttons because without gdp growth you are not going to be able to look after social services and without focusing on the environment there will be no will to look after. tell on the environment there will be no will to look after.— will to look after. tell me about the courtship — will to look after. tell me about the courtship between - will to look after. tell me about the courtship between the - the courtship between the billionaire in the socialist between you and keir starmer. i billionaire in the socialist between you and keir starmer.— billionaire in the socialist between you and keir starmer. i don't know if i would call _ you and keir starmer. i don't know if i would call it _ you and keir starmer. i don't know if i would call it a _ you and keir starmer. i don't know if i would call it a courtship. - you and keir starmer. i don't know if i would call it a courtship. i - if i would call it a courtship. i did go to dinner with tony blair and keir starmer injanuary, but i after

about two months ago i was completely vote lists and my thoughts on labour historically were very negative and what i've seen now, the more and more i have looked at labour is a transformation and a transformation that looks like mostly the exact direction i would want a political party to go in. keir starmer hits the spot with a lot of issues and looking after young people, his whole attitude to sorting out the labour party and making it, i don't know whether the expression is more right wing, but more centred and therefore more palatable to everyone. it's notjust that. it is all the endemic policies within this whole manifesto. there is not much i disagree with. will this be the _ is not much i disagree with. will this be the first _ is not much i disagree with. will this be the first time you will have voted labour?— voted labour? first time in 51 ears. voted labour? first time in 51 years- it _ voted labour? first time in 51 years. it honestly _ voted labour? first time in 51 years. it honestly took - voted labour? first time in 51 years. it honestly took a - voted labour? first time in 51 years. it honestly took a lot l voted labour? first time in 51| years. it honestly took a lot of voted labour? first time in 51- years. it honestly took a lot of me

soul—searching. this years. it honestly took a lot of me soul-searching.— years. it honestly took a lot of me soul-searching. as you to the in the ast. it soul-searching. as you to the in the past- it was — soul-searching. as you to the in the past- it was not _ soul-searching. as you to the in the past. it was not really _ soul-searching. as you to the in the past. it was not really the _ past. it was not really the conservative _ past. it was not really the conservative party - past. it was not really the conservative party it - past. it was not really the conservative party it is i past. it was not really the | conservative party it is the conservative principles i believe in. i believe in wealth creation, i believe in protecting the poor but by making money within the uk, by creating gdp because it cannot create money out of out of thin air and we cannot tax the rich to help the pork because they will go to monaco and other places we have to generate real wealth. what monaco and other places we have to generate real wealth.— generate real wealth. what in your view has gone _ generate real wealth. what in your view has gone wrong _ generate real wealth. what in your view has gone wrong for _ generate real wealth. what in your view has gone wrong for the - view has gone wrong for the conservatives? is rishi sunak a dead? pm conservatives? is rishi sunak a dead? �* . , conservatives? is rishi sunak a dead? �* , dead? an absolute complete dud. if ou no dead? an absolute complete dud. if you go back — dead? an absolute complete dud. if you go back to _ dead? an absolute complete dud. if you go back to his _ dead? an absolute complete dud. if you go back to his chancellorship, i you go back to his chancellorship, everything they did within kovic is wrong he paid people for on all or nothing, i gave in them too much. he would argue that he gave lots of people the money he needed to feed their families. people the money he needed to feed theirfamilies. he people the money he needed to feed their families.— their families. he didn't but he ave their families. he didn't but he gave them _ their families. he didn't but he gave them too _

their families. he didn't but he gave them too much _ their families. he didn't but he gave them too much in - their families. he didn't but he gave them too much in the - their families. he didn't but he i gave them too much in the wrong their families. he didn't but he - gave them too much in the wrong way. why would you have 3.8 million people excluded from any help whatsoever, they are the excluded people. why would you give people 80%. what i said to him at the very beginning and borisjohnson i said to them both is that you prefer that thought of it at the very start of covid, i said thought of it at the very start of covid, isaid nobody thought of it at the very start of covid, i said nobody should be substantially, that is the key word, were soft, whether business or private individual, at the end of covid than they were before. what he did was he made big trenches of the community much better off, but other trances worse off, made businesses worse off because they could not employ their employees for one or two days, it was all or nothing. meanwhile those people could go in make anotherjob somewhere else. would you make of the record of rishi sunak as prime minister? shall rishi sunak as prime minister? all of rishi sunak as prime minister? fill of the criticisms i had made of rishi during his chancellorship, i think were pretty much evidence in the d—day situation. where a complete lack ofjudgment and i

think that lack ofjudgment was demonstrated there in a way that i have criticised him for a lack of judgment in the way that he manage the economy during his chancellorship days and i think that was a way that everyone could see. because why would you do that. i would you come away from the d—day situation like thatjust to do a tv broadcast. it does not make sense. there's a huge focus in this election campaign of the importance of economic growth and in many ways your life story personifies that and i wonder when you look at britain, could the entrepreneurial 16, 17, 18—year—old from stoke, now, have the opportunity to be successful as you have been from that very background. you have been from that very background-— you have been from that very background. you have been from that very backuround. ~ , , ., background. absolutely there are massive opportunities, _ background. absolutely there are massive opportunities, even - background. absolutely there are | massive opportunities, even more because if the .com internet situation because if you hit on the right products, you don't make millions or tens of millions, you can make billions or tens of billions. the opportunities are

absolutely immense. at the simple fact is that we have not grown gdp since 2007. that is 1a years of tory failure. since 2007. that is 14 years of tory failure. �* , ., since 2007. that is 14 years of tory failure. �* ,, ., ., since 2007. that is 14 years of tory failure. �* ., ., ., failure. are you going to 'oin the labour party. * failure. are you going to 'oin the labour party, willh failure. are you going to 'oin the labour party, will you b failure. are you going to join the labour party, will you consider l labour party, will you consider giving money to them as you have conservatives in the past? i giving money to them as you have conservatives in the past?- conservatives in the past? i want what is best _ conservatives in the past? i want what is best for _ conservatives in the past? i want what is best for britain, - conservatives in the past? i want what is best for britain, does - conservatives in the past? i want what is best for britain, does not matter what party, ijust want what is best for britain, does not matter what party, i just want the best for britain. the labour party, in my estimation, as much of the disagree with some of their policies, are the absolute very best for britain going forward. and i hope to goodness i am right in my judgment and that they make britain great again did i think they have a chance of doing so because keir starmer in the labour party listen to everybody. they listen and i think they mould their policies according to what is best for the british nation. but i am not going into politics. it is quite possible i may support them financially if they needed it next to around if i have little he might think they have

donein have little he might think they have done in an amazing job. let's speak to our political correspondent david cornock — who's at westminster. what is the reaction been to this intervention? $5 what is the reaction been to this intervention?— what is the reaction been to this intervention? as you can imagine keir starmer _ intervention? as you can imagine keir starmer is _ intervention? as you can imagine keir starmer is rather _ intervention? as you can imagine keir starmer is rather delighted. | intervention? as you can imagine | keir starmer is rather delighted. i don't think this is a coincidence that this endorsement has emerged during a week that labour hope to focus on the economy and if the labour leader was looking for living evidence that his party has changed, here you have a billionaire who donated to the conservatives last time, because he wanted to stop jeremy corbyn becoming prime minister, deciding this time his best hope is keir starmer. it has to best hope is keir starmer. it has to be said that clearly, he does have issues with the conservatives increasingly and with rishi sunak in particular. we heard him talk there about d—day and of course his brow as chancellor and he has been critical of labour policies, but as far as he is concerned, keir starmer, for the moment is the best

bet. $5 starmer, for the moment is the best bet. �* , , ., ., ., starmer, for the moment is the best bet. as you mention, that plays into a theme that — bet. as you mention, that plays into a theme that the _ bet. as you mention, that plays into a theme that the labour— bet. as you mention, that plays into a theme that the labour mac - bet. as you mention, that plays into a theme that the labour mac party i a theme that the labour mac party are encouraging this week but will be the reaction from the conservatives? so be the reaction from the conservatives?— be the reaction from the conservatives? ., ., ., conservatives? so far we have not heard from _ conservatives? so far we have not heard from the _ conservatives? so far we have not heard from the conservatives. - conservatives? so far we have not. heard from the conservatives. they previously in the campaign were very critical and dismissive of some of the business voices that decided to back labour, but keir starmer quick out of the box tonight to say that whatjohn caudwell says shows business backs the change in economic stability that labour can offer under his leadership. of course i would expect to hear from the conservatives within the next 24 hours that if you vote labour you are voting to put your taxes up because that is the theme of their policy and their campaign this week. thank you for that. there's just over two weeks to go until the election —

but it's the last day to register to vote. there are an estimated 4.3 million younger voters not registered. a social media campaign involving celebrities, influencers and sports stars has been launched to encourage more to sign—up. earlier i spoke to head of policy at the electoral commission, tom hawthorn. it's been going very well so far. so far, since the election was announced a couple of weeks ago, we've seen more than two and half million people register to vote. today is obviously the last day for people to register to vote and it's been very busy today so far. we have seen since nine o'clock this morning, on average, about 500 applications being submitted every minute. and how does that compare to previous elections? so, in previous elections, last time we voted in a general election in the uk, there was about 3.8 million applications put in just in the period between the election being announced and polling day. so we may be slightly

behind that this year. but the biggest problem, we think, are the number of people who aren't correctly registered to vote. so some research we carried out last year found that it could be as many as 8 million people who aren't registered to vote in the right place where they are living at the moment. so what does that mean? they registered previously at an old address or while they were studying were something, and does that mean if they haven't got it up to date they won't be able to vote? that's absolutely right. so some people just aren't registered to vote at all, some people will have moved house since they last registered. so we know that kinds of people, the groups of people who are less likely to be properly registered, correctly registered at their address includes young people, and includes people who are living in private rented accommodation and includes people who have moved home recently, particularly in the last year. so it's really important to make sure that you are to get that application in online before midnight tonight. the parents of the murdered teenager, stephen lawrence, have strongly criticised a decision not to bring charges against four retired detectives, who ran the first, unsuccessful investigation into

her son's killing. stephen was murdered in april 1993 in a racist attack in south london. the initial investigation failed to bring anyone to justice. two of the murderers were eventually convicted in 2012. baroness doreen lawrence said she was bewildered, disappointed and angry at the decision — adding i'm sure the public will be too. she said today's cps report marked, "a new low in the treatment of her family by the criminaljustice system". this report is from our correspondent daniel de simone. the racist murder of teenager stephen lawrence took place 31 years ago at a south london bus stop. what do we want? justice! when do we want it? now! the failed first investigation is widely seen as one of the biggest disasters in the history of the metropolitan police. today, an official review has concluded that four senior retired officers who ran the first inquiry should not be charged with misconduct in a public office for their investigative failures. stephen's father says he is saddened by the decision. i am really disappointed about that,

because i felt that there was enough evidence there from early, to suggest that these people weren't doing theirjobs in the right and proper way. two of the four retired officers were bill ilsley and ian crampton, seen here after being criticised by a landmark public inquiry 25 years ago. the others were brian weeden and ben bullock. last year, the bbc publicly identified a sixth suspect in the murder, matthew white, who died in 2021, and exposed a series of failures relating to him, but these were not part of the case against any of the four retired officers, something heavily criticised today by stephen's mother, baroness doreen lawrence. two of the prime suspects were eventually convicted in 2012, but others responsible remain free. in april, following the bbc�*s investigations, an official review by another force of the closed murder investigation was ordered.

the breadth of that review is being worked out, but it means there remains a prospect of furtherjustice for stephen lawrence. daniel de simone, bbc news. the inquiry into the scandal caused by the failure of the post office's horizon it system has heard how senior managers tried to �*sabotage' an investigation. the claim was made by ian henderson — a forensic accountant who was brought in to check the accounting software in 2012. he claimed that the company was more concerned with protecting its brand than supporting sub—postmasters. i had formed the view that quite early on in the process the post office was getting advice from external lawyers about the financial consequences of what we were finding. the fact that they might be looking at very material amounts of compensation. i remembered doing a back

of a cigarette packet calculation and i felt that if all of the claims being raised by sub—postmasters in working group materialise we were looking at at least £300 million in compensation. that was a huge underestimate. with the details of what happened at the inquiry today — here's our correspondent azadeh moshiri. well, many of the victims of the scandal are attending because these independent forensic accountants, investigators are considered champions to these victims. i spoke to one of them who told me, "i've come because i want to hear them tell the truth." they feel it's something they haven't heard before. and they know that these are two people that they say are cooperating with the inquiry. now, as you said, those were big statements coming out of here. it's important to put some of the context in in place. ian henderson and ron warmington, who've been giving evidence today, are two independent investigators who were paid by the post office. they came on board as they were

growing concerns about the horizon it system in 2012 and their names may sound fairly familiar. they were depicted in the itv drama, but depicted as one character, bob rutherford. now, ian henderson said by 2015, the relationship with the post office had completely changed. he claimed there was sabotage, as you just mentioned. he also said that paula vennlles, the former post office boss, tried to steer investigators away from looking into potential miscarriages ofjustice. and in his witness statement, he said he felt he was dealing with a cover up by the post office and possibly a criminal conspiracy. it's worth also mentioning what ron warmington, the other independent accountant, forensic accountant, said. he gave evidence that there was duplicity and disgraceful behaviour piled of even higher. now these are big statements.

again, as you've mentioned, second site went on to be sacked by the post office later on, they say, because they were getting too close to the truth. justin timberlake has appeared in court in new york state — charged with driving while intoxicated. this is the mugshot that's been released this evening. us police say the singer was pulled over in the early hours of tuesday — in sag harbor — which is in the upmarket hamptons area of long island. he was released without bail after being formally charged. 0ur correspondent in new york nada tawfik has more. justin timberla ke was justin timberlake was out for the night on monday in the hamptons, a wealthy new york beach destination popular with celebrities in the summer. he was out with friends when he was arrested by police in the early hours of tuesday for driving while intoxicated. the suffolk county district attorney's office provided no further comments, but

court documents detail that he was stopped just after 1230 in the morning after he drove through a stop sign. an officer pulled him over and noted that his eyes were bloodshot and glassy and that his breath smelled strongly of alcohol and that he also performed poorly on all standard field sobriety tests. the officer said that the pop star told him that he had one martini and was following his friends home. tmz website about celebrity gossip included reporting thatjustin included reporting that justin timberlake's included reporting thatjustin timberlake's friends allegedly tried to convince officers to let him go. that timberlake refused a breathalyser test and was ultimately taken away in handcuffs. penalties for drunk driving and the hamptons town include a fine of a thousand

dollars the defendant driving privileges and a maximum though not mandatory one year in jail. the 43—year—old who first rose to fame with the boy band and sync has spoken about his struggle with excessive drinking and overcoming addiction. he is currently on tour into to perform in chicago this week and here in new york at madison square garden next week. russia's president putin hasjust arrived in north korea — on his first visit to the secretive state for 24 years. he landed in pyongyang a short while ago ahead of talks with north korea's leader kim jong—un. president putin's state visit comes amid accusations from the united states that north korea has been supplying arms to russia for use in its war with ukraine — something pyongyang denies. here's our diplomatic correspondent paul adams. vladimir putin first trip to

pyongyang in almost a quarter of a century a measurement of the relationships growing up or is a relationship's growing up or is a warm welcome for the north korean leader to mentioned by much of the world and united defiance of the west each bearing a shopping list. their embrace, a source of deep anxiety in washington. deepening cooperation _ anxiety in washington. deepening cooperation between _ anxiety in washington. deepening cooperation between russia - anxiety in washington. deepening cooperation between russia and l anxiety in washington. deepening l cooperation between russia and the prk is a trend that should be of great concern to anyone interested in maintaining peace and stability in maintaining peace and stability in the korean peninsula, upholding the global nonproliferation regime a binding secured resolution and supporting the people of ukraine as they defend their freedom and independence. for they defend their freedom and independence.— they defend their freedom and independence. for putin it is all about the war _ independence. for putin it is all about the war in _ independence. for putin it is all about the war in ukraine. - independence. for putin it is all. about the war in ukraine. russia's economy may already be on a war footing, but putin needs every artillery shell and rocket he can get. north korea is a willing supplier helping russia to outgun ukraine. before arriving, mr putin

—— kimjong—un ukraine. before arriving, mr putin —— kim jong—un for firming supporting north korean regime shows little regard for lives even for their own people. 50 little regard for lives even for their own people.— little regard for lives even for their own people. little regard for lives even for their own --eole. ., ., , their own people. so i would not be surrised their own people. so i would not be surprised if— their own people. so i would not be surprised if putin _ their own people. so i would not be surprised if putin and _ their own people. so i would not be surprised if putin and kim _ their own people. so i would not be surprised if putin and kim jong-unl surprised if putin and kim jong—un were _ surprised if putin and kim jong—un were cut _ surprised if putin and kim jong—un were cut a — surprised if putin and kim jong—un were cut a deal to send into russian only labourers but technicians and perhaps _ only labourers but technicians and perhaps even combat troops in the months _ perhaps even combat troops in the months to— perhaps even combat troops in the months to come. the perhaps even combat troops in the months to come.— perhaps even combat troops in the months to come. the two leaders are drawin: months to come. the two leaders are drawing ever — months to come. the two leaders are drawing ever closer. _ months to come. the two leaders are drawing ever closer. this, _ months to come. the two leaders are drawing ever closer. this, their - drawing ever closer. this, their second meeting in less than a year. what is in it for kimjong—un? like russia, his country is under strict international sanctions. the two men pariahs and arms. the north korean leader has his own ambitious plans for nuclear weapons in space technology, a recent spy satellite failed. russia, for all his limitations, could still offer vital assistance. north korean tv has firmly set the mood for this

high—profile visit. russian martial music conjuring the sort of patriotic pfeffer audiences in pyongyang are used to. the video screens making the agenda abundantly clear. these are two men under pressure, key to demonstrate this of allies and options. and to show the west for all its sanctions and condemnation, this is a mutually beneficial relationship. let's speak to our correspondent shaimaa khalil — who's in seoul. hi there, what's your assessment of the strip? hi there, what's your assessment of the stri - ? , , hi there, what's your assessment of the stri? , , , hi there, what's your assessment of thestri? , , ,, the strip? this trip is significant not “ust the strip? this trip is significant notjust because _ the strip? this trip is significant not just because it _ the strip? this trip is significant not just because it is _ the strip? this trip is significant | notjust because it is putin's first trip in more than 20 years, but also seen as yet another grand gesture between those two pariahs states. it is seen as a sign of appreciation by putin in a way, obliging to the invitation by kim jong—un and also appreciating kimjong—un's appreciating kim jong—un's

unwavering support for the appreciating kimjong—un's unwavering support for the russian war in ukraine since the beginning. the russian president has arrived quite late in pyongyang time but he is a very busy day ahead of him and is a very busy day ahead of him and is expected to attend a concert, a parade in the square and is also expected to visit the only oxo dourthe church in pyongyang —— orthodox church. crucially these are tenses for the two men to again give the optics and the picture of unity that they still have friends that they can rely on and also to see what they can offer each other. each one knows the other has something they want. north korea needs food, fuel, money. it also makes technology that russia can offer especially satellite technology after it failed to launch its spy satellite in may. russian is to

replenish its depleting stockpile as the war in ukraine goes on. and north korea can supply that because north korea can supply that because north korean weaponry is based on soviet era technology. despite the denials by both pyongyang and moscow, we know from the united states and even here from south korea that russia has used north korean weapons in the war in ukraine. there are going to be limits to what each man can offer the other, what moscow can offer pyongyang, but this is another chance of them exploring this ever deepening relationship. iirrule’ll chance of them exploring this ever deepening relationship.— deepening relationship. we'll be be . ettin: deepening relationship. we'll be begetting any— deepening relationship. we'll be begetting any details _ deepening relationship. we'll be begetting any details of- deepening relationship. we'll be begetting any details of any - begetting any details of any outcomes from this trip, do you know? it outcomes from this trip, do you know? ., , ., outcomes from this trip, do you know? . , . , , ., know? it has all been shrouded in secrecy and _ know? it has all been shrouded in secrecy and mystery _ know? it has all been shrouded in secrecy and mystery from - know? it has all been shrouded in secrecy and mystery from the - secrecy and mystery from the itinerary from when he was going to arrive, we have been waiting for this all day here. we don't know exactly what is going to come out of

it, but indications from the russian side tell us that some agreements may be signed, some cooperation on the economic front, but also on the security front. remember when they met back in september, there was a lot of optics, meetings, but nothing concrete came out in terms of an agreement or treaty. experts hear tell us we may see something which they are not sure in details what that may mean, because any agreement, they need to be careful to not openly violate sanctions and they are both under heavy sanctions at the moment.— they are both under heavy sanctions at the moment. thank you very much for that. the actor sir ian mckellan, who's 85, says he is "looking forward to returning to work" and is "hugely indebted" to nhs staff who treated him after he fell from the stage in london last night. the producers of the show player kings have said that the play has been postponed for another day and will now return on thursday and that sir ian would perform

again, but when he was ready. portal have come behind for a 2—1win. a crucial match after scotland lost their opening game against germany on friday. scotland fans have begun arriving in the german city of cologne ahead the team's match against switzerland in the euros tomorrow. here's jane dougall. the tartan army on the road again. scotland fans have earned a reputation for bringing the party to these euros... # no scotland, no party... ..much to the confusion of those who watched them lose heavily to germanyjust a few days ago. but, among the party atmosphere, there's a whiff of cynicism here in cologne. many hoping they've left the baggage of that first defeat behind them. ach, it's all right. it's a speed bump, don't you worry. i think, you know, with scotland, you never quite know what you're going to get. i can't see us not winning. i don't know what all the...

we're going to win 2—1, easy. the fans are arriving here in their numbers, as expected. but, because of that result against germany, and possibly the weather, the mood is a touch more subdued than previously. however, they and the squad are still optimistic. they need to be. this was the first of five goals germany put past them. scotland need to change a lot ahead of their match against switzerland. if the manager gives me the opportunity to play on wednesday night, it's got to be a completely new version of myself and the team as a whole. they have got top players around the team, but so do we, and it's up to us to go and show that. scotland can recover from that figurative bloody nose against germany. but french captain kylian mbappe might not be so lucky after his literal nose break. he collided with an austrian defender during their win last night. the world cup winner won't need surgery but, if he plays in france's next match on friday, he'll wear a protective mask.

despite that, france can now breathe easy. scotland need to improve, or they'll blow their chances of staying in the euros. summer has arrived with a vengeance and a long lasting and intense and life—threatening keyway potentially record—breaking will affect many cities in the east. temperatures into the high 30s by day, but out on the community levels, it will feel like it is above 40 degrees for days on end. that sort of heat is not coming our way but it will affect our weather and some form. if heat and humidity out towards the east clashing with cooler conditions out in the west. that is starting to fire a jet stream pool chewable sent ripples across the atmosphere and a long—lasting with ourjet stream from south of us bringing cooler air

to the north. drawing in something a bit warmer and high pressure which through the second half of the weekend and beyond will mean drier and warmer weather more widely. just and warmer weather more widely. just a few showers to get the weekend under way, a few showers to get the weekend underway, but a few showers to get the weekend under way, but noticed the temperature is, back to where they should be for the time of year and not a bit above across most parts of the uk. to get there, still a few bits of brown. one such in terms of temperature. a chilly start scotland and northern ireland for some temperatures and lower single figures but otherwise a fine day for the vast majority on wednesday. most places dry, varying amounts of cloud, pharynx announces sunny spells, slim chance of a shower in the hills, mostly will be fine. more cloud into the north and west scotland caprice a patchy ring and drizzle particularly later that day, temperatures here 11 to 14, most climbing a bit. especially across scotland and northern ireland, a warmer day than recent. another fresh start to thursday, misplaces dry, shy was as close to the near continent. more cloud to the north and west which could bring the odd isolated shower, but for vast

majority it should be a fine day again, if not more cloud than we see on wednesday. temperatures though, similar to wednesday's values for most. thursday night into friday we have one area of low pressure it in the near continent very close to the south east, and another one which will push weather fronts and to the west as we go through there is because through thursday night into friday morning. western area seemed a bit more of a cloud in outbreaks of a change here, more breeze in cloud in our breaks and eastern areas mostly should stay dry throughout the day. best of the centre and in the morning more cloud into the afternoon and warm in any sunshine and developer will bring outbreaks of rain eastwards across most parts into saturday morning that dry weather develops more brightly. take care.

a billionaire tory donor says he's backing labour at this election for the first time — we'll talk to him live. and the post office was "constantly sabotaging" the work of independent investigators examining the horizon it system, an inquiry�*s heard — we'll talk to one of those investigators.

welcome to newsnight, live each night with interviews and insight. our panel this evening — we have former leader of the liberal democrats jo swinson. and we have isabel oakeshott international editor of talk tv, her partner is the chairman of reform uk. she was happy for me to tell you that. but she is not a memebr of any political party. and we also have one of the forensic accountants sacked by the post office in 2015 who today gave evidence to the post office inquiry. his name is ron warmington — you might remember thatjo swinson was the post office minister back in 2012 to 2015 in the coaltion government when mr warmington was doing his investigations

into that horizon system. but first of all tonight, a billionaire conservative donor now backing labour — he'sjohn caudwell, he's the phones4u founder. he is with us. thank you for talking to our audience, mr caldwell. why are you voting labour for the first time in your life age, how old are you? time in your life age, how old are ou? ' ~ time in your life age, how old are ou? ' “ , time in your life age, how old are ou? '

and over the last two or three months, i've looked at the labour manifesto, looked at what they stand for, and gradually, slowly, slowly and grudgingly, after 50 years of conservative support, moved their way. the real clincher was on friday, i was in a conference, a business conference that they were holding, and there was 50 chief executives of some of the biggest companies in the uk representing £4 billion worth of market cap. sorry, it was much more than that, the number was 4 trillion, not 4 billion, £4 trillion of market cap. and they, not camaraderie, but the empathy from rachel reeves and the other people in the labour party and these senior businessmen was clear.

0k. these senior businessmen was clear. ok. so i'm going to put it to you, if i may... ok. so i'm going to put it to you, if i may- - -— if i may... let me “ust finish that oint, if i may... let me “ust finish that point. because_ if i may... let me just finish that point, because it's _ if i may... let me just finish that point, because it's not _ if i may... let me just finish that point, because it's notjust - if i may... let me just finish that| point, because it's notjust about empathy, it was about the questions that were asked received really excellent answers about what labour were going to do with the economy. 0k, were going to do with the economy. ok, in were going to do with the economy. 0k, in 2021, were going to do with the economy. ok, in 2021, you said to the observer, i still believe that the conservative party is the best party to run this country and i'd be terrified of the lib dems getting in command even more terrified of labour, that was in 2021. keir starmer had been leader of the labour party for a decent period of time then. it's a hell of a u—turn, isn't it? it time then. it's a hell of a u-turn, isn't it? , ., ., ., isn't it? it is a hell of a u-turn but we all— isn't it? it is a hell of a u-turn but we alljudge _ isn't it? it is a hell of a u-turn but we alljudge things - isn't it? it is a hell of a u-turn but we alljudge things based | isn't it? it is a hell of a u-turn l but we alljudge things based on latest information. it's no good living in the past in any of our lives on anything we do. let's look where we are in the here and now and in the future. if i where we are in the here and now and in the future-— where we are in the here and now and in the future._ what - in the future. if i made... what keir has done _ in the future. if i made... what keir has done as _ in the future. if i made... what keir has done as far _ in the future. if i made... what keir has done as far as - in the future. if i made... what keir has done as far as i - in the future. if i made... what keir has done as far as i can . in the future. if i made... whatl keir has done as far as i can see has taken all the left out of the labour party and he's come out with a brilliant set of values and principles and ways of growing

britain in complete alignment with my views as a commercial capitalist. not all the policies you like because you went to a comprehensive school. what do you think of the policy of vat on private schools? i think you know my answer to that and i will cover that. but let's not worry about rearranging deck chairs on the titanic. the real issue here is that keir is going for growth of gdp. that's a huge thing. growth of gdp. that's a huge thing. growth of gdp to swell the public purses to be able to look after the poorer people of society. i absolutely fully support that. the second fact is is he is massively into climate science and technology. that's the second point of principle for me. and and technology. that's the second point of principle for me. and also, ou think point of principle for me. and also, you think he _ point of principle for me. and also, you think he is _ point of principle for me. and also, you think he is going _ point of principle for me. and also, you think he is going to _ point of principle for me. and also, you think he is going to win. - point of principle for me. and also, you think he is going to win. yes, | you think he is going to win. yes, absolutely- _ you think he is going to win. yes, absolutely. i'm _ you think he is going to win. yes, absolutely. i'm not _ you think he is going to win. yes, absolutely. i'm not backing - you think he is going to win. ye: absolutely. i'm not backing him because he's going to win, i'm backing him because i believe in the policies. and the fact that he's going to win is an added advantage

because i really hope that i can influence labour policy in a positive way for britain going forward to put the great back in great britain.— forward to put the great back in great britain. . ., , ., , ., great britain. can i ask you before oenin: great britain. can i ask you before opening the _ great britain. can i ask you before opening the conversation. - great britain. can i ask you before opening the conversation. you - great britain. can i ask you before. opening the conversation. you gave £500,000 to borisjohnson's conservative party in 2019 and he had to step down because he ran out of people in his party that would serve with him and his government. in 2021 as i mentioned you said you were terrified of labour getting an ad in the same interview he said when you are thinking about a new tory leader, that liz truss could be that person, in october 2022 you back to liz truss to be prime minister. that's quite a track record of backing failures. laughter let's just look at the facts. laughter let's “ust look at the facts. , let's “ust look at the facts. they are let's just look at the facts. they are the facts. — let's just look at the facts. they are the facts, mr _ let's just look at the facts. they are the facts, mr caldwell. - let's just look at the facts. they are the facts, mr caldwell. theyj let's just look at the facts. they - are the facts, mr caldwell. they are the facts, let _ are the facts, mr caldwell. they are the facts, let me _ are the facts, mr caldwell. they are the facts, let me answer _ are the facts, mr caldwell. they are the facts, let me answer the - are the facts, mr caldwell. they are the facts, let me answer the facts, | the facts, let me answer the facts, then. first thing is, backing the tories in when the alternative was corbyn and mcdonnell, they turned my

blood cold, so i did believe in the tories then, i believed in boris johnson then. i was wrong to do so. but i wasn't wrong in backing them against labour. because the labour ofjohn mcdonnell would have been a fiasco. now that we wind on a little bit and i was still firmly in favour of the tories but seeing more and more faults in rishi sunak�*s management of the uk economy and faults of the way he managed covid which i have an endless list of faults in what he did that was wrong. faults in what he did that was wronr. ., ., faults in what he did that was wron. _ ., ., , , faults in what he did that was i wrong-_ yes: wrong. not fellow, surely? yes, absolutely- _ wrong. not fellow, surely? yes, absolutely. furlough _ wrong. not fellow, surely? yes, absolutely. furlough saved i wrong. not fellow, surely? yes, i absolutely. furlough saved people's livelihoods. i'm _ absolutely. furlough saved people's livelihoods. i'm not— absolutely. furlough saved people's livelihoods. i'm not disagreeing i livelihoods. i'm not disagreeing with the point _ livelihoods. i'm not disagreeing with the point you _ livelihoods. i'm not disagreeing with the point you made i livelihoods. i'm not disagreeing with the point you made but i livelihoods. i'm not disagreeing with the point you made but letj livelihoods. i'm not disagreeing i with the point you made but let me say why i disagreed. the reason i disagree, because i said to rishi sunak and boris right at the beginning of covid, i made a very bold statement that nobody should be substantially worse off as a result of the covid epidemic after it than

they were before it. substantially worse off. what rishi sunak did was made furlough absolute all or nothing. he paid 80% when people were going to be at home, no holidays, no meals out, no nothing. and 80% was too much. and he didn't foresee that the supply chain was clearly going to be empty. so what happens post—covid, all of that money that's accumulated in people's pockets rushed into the marketplace and caused massive inflation. let me s nick and caused massive inflation. let me 5 nick watt, — and caused massive inflation. let me 5 nick watt. our _ and caused massive inflation. let me s nick watt, our political _ and caused massive inflation. let me s nick watt, our political editor, i 5 nick watt, our political editor, how big a deal it is that someone who was a conservative donor is voting labourfor the who was a conservative donor is voting labour for the first time in their life. ., ,., ., , ., , voting labour for the first time in their life. . . , . their life. labour regard this as a hu:el their life. labour regard this as a hugely significant _ their life. labour regard this as a hugely significant moment. i their life. labour regard this as a hugely significant moment. john | hugely significant moment. john mentioned the meeting labour had with the _ mentioned the meeting labour had with the ftse 100 meeting no leaders last friday. _ with the ftse 100 meeting no leaders last friday, john had a one—on—one meeting _ last friday, john had a one—on—one meeting with keir starmer then after the manifesto launch for the labour party. _ the manifesto launch for the labour party. that — the manifesto launch for the labour party, that meeting obviously went well. there was a dinner earlier in

january— well. there was a dinner earlier in january attended by keir starmer, tony blair— january attended by keir starmer, tony blair and tony blair acted as cupid _ tony blair and tony blair acted as cupid here? there are two big things going _ cupid here? there are two big things going on— cupid here? there are two big things going on here for labour. the first is that— going on here for labour. the first is that when— going on here for labour. the first is that when labour is in serious contention— is that when labour is in serious contention for government, they want credibility— contention for government, they want credibility with business. their belief— credibility with business. their betief is— credibility with business. their belief is they have that in spades by getting john caudwell on board. the second big thing that's going on here is— the second big thing that's going on here is that — the second big thing that's going on here is that an area of weakness for keir starmer— here is that an area of weakness for keir starmer in this election campaign has been his decision to sit in _ campaign has been his decision to sit injeremy corbyn's campaign has been his decision to sit in jeremy corbyn's shadow cabinet — sit in jeremy corbyn's shadow cabinet. john gave £500,000 to the conservative party because he regarded — conservative party because he regarded jeremy corbyn as a disaster~ _ regarded jeremy corbyn as a disaster. john is now saying that keir starmer has brought the labour party back— keir starmer has brought the labour party back from the brink ofjeremy corbyn _ party back from the brink ofjeremy corbyn i_ party back from the brink ofjeremy corbyn. i have to say that this comes— corbyn. i have to say that this comes as _ corbyn. i have to say that this comes as the mood really deteriorates in the conservative party _ deteriorates in the conservative party i — deteriorates in the conservative party. i was talking to one minister before _ party. i was talking to one minister before this — party. i was talking to one minister before this announcement this evening — before this announcement this evening and i said to them, what is the mood? — evening and i said to them, what is the mood? and they said they are reminded — the mood? and they said they are reminded of the mood when emperor hirohito—

reminded of the mood when emperor hirohito made his announcement after the atomic— hirohito made his announcement after the atomic bombing of nagasaki and what he _ the atomic bombing of nagasaki and what he said was the war is turning not necessarily to the advantage of japan _ not necessarily to the advantage of japan. that is the mood in the conservative party.— conservative party. isabel oakeshott. _ conservative party. isabel oakeshott, what - conservative party. isabel oakeshott, what do i conservative party. isabel oakeshott, what do you l conservative party. isabel- oakeshott, what do you make of conservative party. isabel— oakeshott, what do you make of this defection? reform would love a businessman like this backing their cause. {iii businessman like this backing their cause. . ., , businessman like this backing their cause. .. , , y cause. of course. i listened very carefully to _ cause. of course. i listened very carefully to what _ cause. of course. i listened very carefully to what you _ cause. of course. i listened very carefully to what you said. i i cause. of course. i listened very | carefully to what you said. i think it's fine _ carefully to what you said. i think it's fine to — carefully to what you said. i think it's fine to change _ carefully to what you said. i think it's fine to change your— carefully to what you said. i think it's fine to change your mind. i carefully to what you said. i think| it's fine to change your mind. the facts _ it's fine to change your mind. the facts change. _ it's fine to change your mind. the facts change, personnel- it's fine to change your mind. the facts change, personnel change l it's fine to change your mind. thel facts change, personnel change at the top _ facts change, personnel change at the top and — facts change, personnel change at the top and so _ facts change, personnel change at the top and so on. _ facts change, personnel change at the top and so on. so— facts change, personnel change at the top and so on. so that's - facts change, personnel change at the top and so on. so that's fine. i the top and so on. so that's fine. but it— the top and so on. so that's fine. but it does— the top and so on. so that's fine. but it does strike _ the top and so on. so that's fine. but it does strike me _ the top and so on. so that's fine. but it does strike me as - the top and so on. so that's fine. but it does strike me as if- the top and so on. so that's fine. but it does strike me as if you i the top and so on. so that's fine. i but it does strike me as if you are a little _ but it does strike me as if you are a little bit — but it does strike me as if you are a little bit all— but it does strike me as if you are a little bit all over— but it does strike me as if you are a little bit all over the _ but it does strike me as if you are a little bit all over the place - but it does strike me as if you are a little bit all over the place on. a little bit all over the place on who you — a little bit all over the place on who you have _ a little bit all over the place on who you have supported. i- a little bit all over the place on who you have supported. i think there is nobody _ who you have supported. i think there is nobody less _ who you have supported. i think there is nobody less all - who you have supported. i think there is nobody less all over- who you have supported. i think there is nobody less all over the place than me that you will ever... did you support liz truss? i am clear and _ did you support liz truss? i am clear and direct. _ did you support liz truss? i am clear and direct. did _ did you support liz truss? i am clear and direct. did you i did you support liz truss? i am | clear and direct. did you support liz clear and direct. did you support liz truss? _ clear and direct. did you support liz truss? i _ clear and direct. did you support liz truss? i did _ clear and direct. did you support liz truss? i did and _ clear and direct. did you support liz truss? i did and there i clear and direct. did you support liz truss? i did and there was i clear and direct. did you support liz truss? i did and there was a l liz truss? i did and there was a reason for _ liz truss? i did and there was a reason for that. _ liz truss? i did and there was a reason for that. really - liz truss? i did and there was a reason for that. really radically different from _ reason for that. really radically different from the _ reason for that. really radically different from the labour- reason for that. really radically| different from the labour party, reason for that. really radically i different from the labour party, it really _ different from the labour party, it really is — different from the labour party, it really is li2— different from the labour party, it reall is. , , ., , ., ., really is. liz truss was going for arowth, really is. liz truss was going for growth. gdp — really is. liz truss was going for growth, gdp growth, _ really is. liz truss was going for growth, gdp growth, and i really is. liz truss was going for growth, gdp growth, and got i really is. liz truss was going for growth, gdp growth, and got it| really is. liz truss was going for i growth, gdp growth, and got it all wrong. i did not support rishi and

the only alternative was liz truss or rishi