wronglyjailed when pregnant, over the horizon it scandal. # sweet caroline! england prepare to face slovenia later in their final group stage game at the euros. and the very first rock samples from the far side of the moon are brought back to earth by china. coming up on bbc news. afghanistan make history at the t20 world cup, making a global semifinal for the first time and eliminating australia from the tournament in the process. good afternoon, and welcome to the bbc news at one. the conservative party has withdrawn support for two of its candidates the week before the uk goes to the polls for the general election.

both craig williams, who was a close aide to rishi sunak and laura saunders, who is married to the conservatives�* director of campaigning, are being looked into by the gambling commission over alleged bets placed on the timing of the election. our political correspondent hannah miller reports. did you have any inside information when you made the bet? i did you have any inside information when you made the bet?— did you have any inside information when you made the bet? i made a huge error ofjudgment. _ when you made the bet? i made a huge error ofjudgment. it _ when you made the bet? i made a huge error ofjudgment. it is _ when you made the bet? i made a huge error ofjudgment. it is almost - when you made the bet? i made a huge error ofjudgment. it is almost two - error of 'udgment. it is almost two weeks error ofjudgment. it is almost two weeks since _ error ofjudgment. it is almost two weeks since it _ error ofjudgment. it is almost two weeks since it emerged _ error ofjudgment. it is almost two weeks since it emerged that - error ofjudgment. it is almost two weeks since it emerged that the i error ofjudgment. it is almost two i weeks since it emerged that the one of the prime minister's closest aides had placed a bet on the date of the election days before it was announced. figs of the election days before it was announced-— of the election days before it was announced. as i said, i will not be expanding — announced. as i said, i will not be expanding on _ announced. as i said, i will not be expanding on that _ announced. as i said, i will not be expanding on that statement. - announced. as i said, i will not be i expanding on that statement. today the conservative _ expanding on that statement. today the conservative party _ expanding on that statement. irr— the conservative party announced it will no longer support craig williams, there candidate in montgomeryshire and linda, nor laura saunders in bristol north west. in a statement, the party said, we have checked with the gambling commission this decision does not compromise the investigation they are conducted

which is rightly independent and ongoing. i5 which is rightly independent and onauoin. , . which is rightly independent and oniioin, , . ., ongoing. is it the right decision to withdraw support _ ongoing. is it the right decision to withdraw support from _ ongoing. is it the right decision to withdraw support from these - withdraw support from these candidates?— withdraw support from these candidates? ., , ., candidates? conservatives said the decision was _ candidates? conservatives said the decision was the _ candidates? conservatives said the decision was the result _ candidates? conservatives said the decision was the result of - candidates? conservatives said the decision was the result of internall decision was the result of internal inquiries. if decision was the result of internal in i uiries. , decision was the result of internal inuiries. , ., decision was the result of internal iniuiries. , ., , inquiries. if they had been suspended _ inquiries. if they had been suspended without - inquiries. if they had been suspended without any . inquiries. if they had been - suspended without any proper investigation, i think it would have been _ investigation, i think it would have been unfair. there has been an investigation, there are obvious the questions _ investigation, there are obvious the questions to answer, possible criminai— questions to answer, possible criminal investigations going on and the gambling commission is doing its inquiry— the gambling commission is doing its inquiry as_ the gambling commission is doing its inquiry as well. the the gambling commission is doing its inquiry as well-— inquiry as well. the labour party is questioning _ inquiry as well. the labour party is questioning why — inquiry as well. the labour party is questioning why the _ inquiry as well. the labour party is questioning why the decision - inquiry as well. the labour party isi questioning why the decision didn't come sooner. it’s questioning why the decision didn't come sooner-— questioning why the decision didn't come sooner. it's taken rishi sunak the best part _ come sooner. it's taken rishi sunak the best part of _ come sooner. it's taken rishi sunak the best part of two _ come sooner. it's taken rishi sunak the best part of two weeks - come sooner. it's taken rishi sunak the best part of two weeks to - come sooner. it's taken rishi sunak the best part of two weeks to act i come sooner. it's taken rishi sunaki the best part of two weeks to act on this. that is just weak leadership. it's too late for ballot papers to be changed, but if elected, the conservative party is suggesting that these two candidates would become independent mps. at least until the gambling commission has finished its inquiries. both candidates have said they will cooperate with the investigation. but as rishi sunak stepped away from campaigning today, he will be hoping this decision draws a line under the

issue. hannah miller, bbc news. details of all candidates running in the general election can be found on the bbc news website and app. our chief political correspondent henry zeffman joins us now. henry, there has been much discussion over this, so what prompted the decision? there are two numbers to think— prompted the decision? there are two numbers to think about _ prompted the decision? there are two numbers to think about here, - prompted the decision? there are two numbers to think about here, anna. . numbers to think about here, anna. 13 and nine. numbers to think about here, anna. i3 and nine. it has been 13 days since it was first reported that craig williams was being looked at by the gambling commission, 13 days since he admitted having placed a bet, what he called a flutter on a july general election and said he would cooperate with their work. and in the days that followed that, we at the bbc revealed that another candidate laura saunders was being looked at as well as two senior members of conservative party staff and over that period, that 13 day drip, drip, drip. ithink it and over that period, that 13 day drip, drip, drip. i think it became clearthat drip, drip, drip. i think it became clear that this was dominating rishi sunak�*s campaign, that wherever he went, whatever he wanted to talk

about, this is what people ask him about, this is what people ask him about so as hannah said, i think he is hoping, the conservatives are hoping now that this decision will draw a line under things, and they need that line to be drawn. because there are only nine days until polling day. some people will have voted already, some people in fact will have voted for craig williams and laura saunders by post. for everyone else, nine days to still be persuaded. nine days for rishi sunak to seize back control of this campaign's agenda, or risk being evicted from downing street. henry, thank ou. sir keir starmer and the actor idris elba have been meeting families affected by knife crime in london. the labour leader has pledged to make tackling the issue a "moral mission" if his party wins the election. the liberal democrats have launched their new mini—manifesto today, focusing on care. leader sir ed davey unveiled the six page manifesto called a fair deal on care. it highlights pledges the party has already made, including £9 billion of investment into the nhs, including gps, ambulance services and social care.

the snp are launching their climate and just transition manifesto today. the party's leaderjohn swinney has said "unity and consensus" across politics is needed to fight the climate crisis. julian assange, the founder of wikileaks, has flown out of the uk after spending five years in belmarsh prison fighting extradition to the united states. he's struck a deal with prosecutors, and will stop in a us territory to plead guilty to a charge of espionage, on his way home to australia. mr assange uploaded classified military files to his website nearly 15 years ago. his supporters called it a victory for free speech, but critics said he'd put lives at risk. our diplomatic correspondent caroline hawley reports. what is going through his mind as he looks out of the plane window after five years in prison? julian sanjay

had boarded a privatejet five years in prison? julian sanjay had boarded a private jet to thailand yesterday evening —— julian assange had boarded a privatejet to thailand yesterday evening before the world even knew about his release. from stansted to bangkok, a plane ride to freedom after he agreed to plead guilty of one charge of conspiring to illegally obtain classified us military information. his punishment, the time he has already served in belmarshjane. wikileaks has released this footage of one of the world's best prisoners arriving for a layover in bangkok. he will fly on later tonight to a pacific island, us territory, where a judge will approve his play. it's a judge will approve his play. it's a whirlwind of emotions. i mean, i'm just elated, frankly, it'sjust incredible. i don't know, it feels like it's not real. it was this footage released by wikileaks in 2010 which first brought international attention to julian assange. it shows an american helicopter gunships in iraq shooting

unarmed civilians. it was part of a flood of military secrets spilled by wikileaks that year. two years later he was wanted in sweden for questioning about allegations of sexual assault made by two women. to avoid extradition, he sought refuge in ecuador�*s london embassy. he spent seven years there, but was arrested in 2019 when the ecuadorian government withdrew his political asylum. and he was jailed for skipping bail. soon, it was the americans asking for his extradition. after endless court cases, it was approved by the then home secretary, priti patel, in 2022. butjulian assange kept appealing, untilthis 2022. butjulian assange kept appealing, until this deal was struck. australia, his own country, had recently pushed hard for his release. . , , ., , release. regardless of the view is that people _ release. regardless of the view is that people have _ release. regardless of the view is that people have about _ release. regardless of the view is that people have about mr- release. regardless of the view is i that people have about mr assange's activities, the case has dragged on for too long. there is nothing to be gained by his continued incarceration and we want him brought home to australia. but there is an i er brought home to australia. but there

is anger in some _ brought home to australia. but there is anger in some quarters _ brought home to australia. but there is anger in some quarters in - brought home to australia. but there is anger in some quarters in the - brought home to australia. but there is anger in some quarters in the us. | is anger in some quarters in the us. the charges were first brought under donald trump. his former vice president mike pence said julian assange had endangered the lives that american troops at the time war and should have been prosecuted to the full extent of the law. in australia his wife stella waits for a family reunion and the end of a drama which has spanned several continents and several years. in a moment we'll speak to our sydney correspondent katy watson. but first, our north america correspondent nomia iqbaljoins us now. nomia, how significant is this move from the us and president biden? hugely so. there is no doubt about that. three years ago, the us justice department said it wanted to pursue extradition. the americans, as caroline said, they have long considered julian assange as someone who endangered the lives of american operatives when his wikileaks

website released those documents on the iraq and afghanistan wars. but earlier this year back in april, president biden said he was considering a request by the australian government to resolve julian assange's legal limbo. the australians are a key security ally for mr biden, there is no doubt there was pressure on him in that respect. also pressure from progressive members of his own democratic party, who view mr assange as somebody who is simply exercising his free—speech right as a journalist exposing those wards. but it is not a view held by everyone in the democratic party ignore the republican party, there are those who believe that mr assange should be held accountable. it's also hard not to see everything through the prism of the presidential election. mr biden obviously looking to november, donald trump said last month, or earlier this year, that he would consider pardoning mr assange if he

won the election, but i'm sure we will find out in the coming days or hours exactly why this deal has been struck now. ., ., hours exactly why this deal has been struck now-— struck now. nomia, in washington, thank you- — let's speak now to our sydney correspondent katy watson. katy, what's the reaction been like there? i think one of cautious optimism. we heard that prime minister anthony albanese talked about this, he might not agree with assange or activities but you can agree that this has been going on for too long. he has support from across the political spectrum here in australia. last october, anthony albanese went to the white house and brought up the subject ofjulian assange and that ahead of his visit was also a cross—party delegation of mps who went to washington to lobby us lawmakers and the department of justice. so it's certainly a feeling thatis justice. so it's certainly a feeling that is shared that he should be coming back to australian soil. i think the speed at which this is

turned around, though, i think there was perhaps people thinking this wasn't going to happen anytime soon, certainly before the us elections and the us was standing its ground, that has surprised quite a few people, probably, the quick turnaround. now we are seeing julian assange head back to australian soil. ., , , . ~' a former fujitsu engineer who helped design the faulty horizon software at the centre of the post office it scandal has said sorry to a sub—postmistress wrongly jailed for stealing money. garethjenkins said he may have been "wrongly confident" that accounting bugs were quickly resolved. seema misra was sent to prison when pregnant, one of hundreds of sub—postmasters falsely accused of theft. our employment correspondent zoe conway reports. garethjenkins is not a household name, but he is a key figure in the post office scandal. he helped design the faulty horizon software system. he gave evidence in court cases, including that of former sub—postmistress seema misra.

his testimony helped put her in prison whilst pregnant after she was wrongly accused of stealing £70,000. it is very, very important because i definitely want to know why he did what he did, who was behind it and all of that. five years ago, sub—postmasters won their stunning victory against the post office in the high court. the judge, justice fraser, said the problems with horizon could cause discrepancies in sub—postmasters�* accounts. that the evidence i shall give shall be the truth... garethjenkins told the inquiry he didn't agree with the judge. and you don't accept his findings that bugs, errors and defects could result in, ie cause discrepancies or shortfalls in branch accounts? they could cause discrepancies in branch accounts, but not at the sort of levels that are being talked about. and in general, the systems, i believe, were operating as they should.

do i take it that you accept his first finding that legacy horizon was not remotely robust? i don't accept that finding. he was asked about his role in giving evidence in court cases, whether he was sufficiently briefed about all the bugs and errors. i was confident and possibly wrongly so that when problems did occur, they were quickly fixed and they weren't left to fester in the system to have a larger impact. knowing what you know now, would you adopt the same approach of relying on your confidence? i think i'd have to say that with hindsight, i would have done things differently, yes. in his witness statement, garethjenkins said he was truly sorry that seema misra was wrongly convicted, that he didn't know she was pregnant at the time. "i can only apologise again," he said, "for what happened to her." zoe conway, bbc news.

seema misra and davinder have been at the inquiry all morning listening to what garethjenkins had to say and a short while ago seema misra gave an emotional interview to the bbc about what she had heard. she said she did not accept gareth jenkins�* apology, she also talked about how she was still struggling to come to terms with what happened to come to terms with what happened to her. let�*s remember that she was notjust imprisoned, notjust given a 15 month prison sentence, she was also led away from the court in handcuffs whilst pregnant and upon her release, she was given an electronic tag. we are going to be hearing more from garethjenkins this and afternoon and over the next three days, giving you a sense of how central they think he is to the post of how central they think he is to the post office scandal. thank you, zoe. and you can follow updates from the post office inquiry on the special live page on the bbc news website and app. the time is 1.15pm. our top story this afternoon.

the conservatives withdraw support for two of their candidates — craig williams and laura saunders — who are being looked into over alleged election betting. and england fans hope for a sharp performance in germany tonight, as their team faces slovenia in theirfinal group stage game at the euros. coming up on bbc news. cameron norrie is first up on a day of british action at eastbourne with emma raducanu and katie boulter also to come at the pre—wimbledon warm up tournament. new figures on childhood vaccinations have shown that targets for the number of children getting them are still not being hit. the immunisation programme protects against 13 different illnesses, and doctors now say we�*re at a "tipping point" where the low take—up could lead to more outbreaks of disease. there�*ve already been rises in measles and whooping cough. our health correspondent

catherine burns explains. by the time a child turns one they should have had three different sets of vaccines, starting to protect them from nine illnesses like whooping cough. when they blow out the candles on their second birthday cake, they should have had more vaccines, including for measles. by the time they start school, more boosters helping their community. it�*s really important for all children to be vaccinated, not just for their safety but then for the children they�*re around all the time. definitely do it. i don't believe in any of the conspiracies. ijust don't trust the whooping cough, i don't know. - i mean, if my children, if they start coughing, i if they start doing it and i feel like. oh. 0k. _ it's getting a bit much, maybe i'll readjust it. i but to me it's not 100% trustworthy. but if your kids start coughing, it�*ll be too late? yeah. health officials have targets for how many children they want to have certain key vaccines. the aim is for 95% to be protected by the time they�*re five.

recently we haven�*t been hitting that target. in fact, vaccination rates have been going generally in the wrong direction. the latest figures show that 93.4% of uk children who�*ve just turned five have had the six—in—one vaccine, which protects against illnesses including whooping cough and polio. for mmr, measles and rubella, 92.5 have had a first dose. and for the second dose only 85.2% were protected. this represents tens of thousands of children who remain unprotected and unvaccinated within our wider population. there is a reason why we have this target. we know that this is what we need to keep our children safe and protected. a kiss from mum 12—week—old baby aidan, ahead of three vaccines, including protection against whooping cough. sorry, my love. sharp scratch. baby cries. it�*s only like a few seconds of the crying and he�*s done,

you know, and then he�*ll be for all of his life strong. because listen to this. baby coughing. the reality of whooping cough, gasping for air. we�*re seeing the biggest outbreak for years. eight babies from england have died so far this year. ciara daly has made it a priority to vaccinate baby shay. she got measles ten years ago, and spent five days in isolation in hospital. i was scared. i could barely lift my head off the pillow, felt really poorly and thought, yeah, i don�*t know why i am so sick, but i might even die. i wouldn�*t want anyone to get that poorly, especially children or babies. that piece really sums up a lot of what _ that piece really sums up a lot of what is _ that piece really sums up a lot of what is going on with vaccination rates _ what is going on with vaccination rates at — what is going on with vaccination rates at the minute. most parents do trust them _ rates at the minute. most parents do trust them and automatically get

their children vaccinated. health officials — their children vaccinated. health officials would say that most is not enough _ officials would say that most is not enough. when you're talking about a 95% target, — enough. when you're talking about a 95% target, the reality is 92 or 93%, _ 95% target, the reality is 92 or 93%, it — 95% target, the reality is 92 or 93%, it might not sound too bad. when _ 93%, it might not sound too bad. when you — 93%, it might not sound too bad. when you scale that up across the country _ when you scale that up across the country the — when you scale that up across the country the difference can be huge. one paediatrician recently said to me he _ one paediatrician recently said to me he thinks we are at a tipping point _ me he thinks we are at a tipping point and — me he thinks we are at a tipping point and we could see more outbreaks of preventable diseases. he pointed to measles. there have been _ he pointed to measles. there have been 2000 cases almost in england since _ been 2000 cases almost in england since october. the complications from _ since october. the complications from this— since october. the complications from this can be really serious, if not fatat — from this can be really serious, if not fatal. whooping cough is entirety— not fatal. whooping cough is entirely preventable, but eight babies— entirely preventable, but eight babies have died of it recently. all of this— babies have died of it recently. all of this really begs the question, what _ of this really begs the question, what is — of this really begs the question, what is being done about this? this is not _ what is being done about this? this is not a _ what is being done about this? this is not a new— what is being done about this? this is not a new problem. vaccine rates have _ is not a new problem. vaccine rates have been— is not a new problem. vaccine rates have been declining now since about 2012 _ have been declining now since about 2012 so _ have been declining now since about 2012. so whatever is happening, isn't _ 2012. so whatever is happening, isn't working yet. health officials will say _ isn't working yet. health officials will say there is no one size fits all answer _ will say there is no one size fits allanswer. for example, will say there is no one size fits all answer. for example, they might print out—

all answer. for example, they might print out brochures in different languages. they might get trusted community leaders to speak out supporting vaccines. really though, if you _ supporting vaccines. really though, if you have — supporting vaccines. really though, if you have any concerns about vaccines, — if you have any concerns about vaccines, the message is to speak to a health— vaccines, the message is to speak to a health professional. thank— a health professional. thank you. princess anne has spent a second night in hospital with a minor head injury and concussion, thought to be caused by a horse at her estate in gloucestershire. she�*s been visited this lunchtime by her husband, vice admiral sir tim laurence. our correspondent danjohnson joins us now from southmead hospital in bristol. dan, has buckingham palace given any further update on the princess royal�*s condition? no official update. i don�*t think we are going to be given a running commentary on her condition. but we were told last night she was conscious, stable and comfortable, and expected to make a full recovery. the expectation is that she will spend a few more nights here at southmead hospital. we are not sure who she has received in

terms of visitors. but we know her husband, vice admiral tim laurence, is visiting her at the moment. he arrived about an hour ago with a hefty —looking picnic basket. it looks like they are taking lunch together at the hospital. she has had to cancel all her royal engagements for the week. that means she will be able to stand —— attend the state banquet for the emperor of japan tonight. she won�*t be able to go on a trip to canada planned for this weekend. she has cancelled all the charity engagements and has apologised for this. she has been one of the busiest working royals for many years, but especially in recent months, with the other royals out of action because of medical issues. the word from buckingham palace is she is expected to make a full recovery. it is still not clear exactly what happened on her country estate in gloucestershire on sunday night, but some sort of collision involving a horse which gave her a head injury and concussion. but she is said to be recovering well. thank ou. the search for missing british teenagerjay slater in tenerife has

entered its second week. specialist teams continue are still working in the rural de teno national park, close to the 19—year—old�*s last known location. his dad, warren slater, has appealed to the local community for help. ultra—orthodox jewish students will be drafted into the israeli military after a landmark supreme court ruling. there had been a long—standing exemption to conscription if young men were registered in full—time religious study. the arrangement — which has been a long—standing source of tension in israeli society — had recently expired. police in kenya have fired tear gas and water cannon in the capital, nairobi, where protests are taking place against a government finance bill. demonstrators have blocked roads and are trying to reach parliament, where mps are considering the introduction of several new taxes. in the last hour, the japanese emperor naruhito and empress masako have arrived at buckingham palace as part of a three—day state visit to the uk. king charles and queen camilla welcomed the couple with a ceremony

at horse guards parade. we can speak to our correspondent helena wilkinson, who is outside buckingham palace now. helena, tell us more about today�*s events. this is the first japanese state visit since 1998 and in the last hour the japanese emperor and empress were treated to the full p°mp empress were treated to the full pomp and pageantry that comes with a state visit. they were formally welcomed by king charles and queen camilla on horse guards parade, not farfrom where we camilla on horse guards parade, not far from where we are. then they made their way encourages, the king travelling with the emperor and one carriage, queen and the empress in the carriage that followed. they travelled along the maul, lined with japanese flags. there were crowds of people cheering and waving as the carriages went past. as you say, the royal couple are now inside buckingham palace. ithink lunch will be served at any moment now.

later they will go to westminster abbey, where they will have a tour of the abbie by the dean of westminster. and then the centrepiece, of course, will be the lavish state banquet at buckingham palace this evening. during the trip to the couple will be visiting some places which hold personal significance to them. later on this week a private engagement on a private visit, will be undertaken by them to oxford university. they both studied at oxford university. no doubt that would bring back some fond memories from when they were younger here in the uk. thank you very much. england�*s path to the next round of the euros is assured, as they face slovenia in their final group game later. but the team know they need to impress, after some criticism of the team�*s performance so far. england fans in cologne, out enjoying a cruise on the river rhine.

but after their team�*s stodgy start to the euros, it�*s hardly been plain sailing. we�*ve got the best attacking players, i think, in the whole tournament, but we just haven�*t been using them right. we don't want to peak too early, so build into the tournament slow and steady, and then hopefully by knockouts, we're up to full speed. having watched the first two games, are you still feeling confident? laughter. oh, come on! stupid question. yes —100%. it will get better. b00|ng. england were booed off by some supporters after last week�*s frustrating draw with denmark, but they are still top of their group, and these fans are keeping the faith. england. you never know what you�*re going to get with them, but fans are there to support them all the way. and here we go, it is coming home, hopefully! i think once they�*ve scored, they go on the defence rather than the attack, and i think they need to change that side of things. but you�*re still confident? oh, yeah! southgate�*s got it, kid.

no problem. england haven�*t been short of critics, though. captain harry kane says former players who are now pundits should be more supportive. but the manager says he�*s not bothered. it's not important to me. there's nothing to be gained from us that's going to help improve us listening to external criticism. we know what we've done well — we're very honest about that. we know where we need to be better — we're brutally honest about that. so, while england fans will be hoping for a win here against slovenia, they�*ll be hoping for a performance, too. remember, england arrived here in germany as one of the tournament favourites. it�*s time to start showing why. andy swiss, bbc news, cologne. john watson is in cologne, and john how are the travelling fans john, how are the fans feeling about what they�*ve been seeing on the pitch? well, i think it is a difficult one at the moment because there is plenty for england to feel positive

about. they have qualified from their group with one match still to go. if they win later, they will top their group and it means they would avoid germany in the last 16. that is something which is of some importance, let�*s be honest, to the team. but it is a difficult one because the fans have question performances and the selection of gareth southgate. that is so often the case with england, everybody has a view, as we heard from those pundits and former players. gareth southgate himself knows that the team haven�*t played as well as perhaps he would have expected them to. he said they will perform better against slovenia later. declan rice, the england midfielder, says they will play with greater intensity and captain harry kane hoping their performances will be praised rather than criticised this time. but as andy was saying, it is the reaction to that rather disappointing draw against denmark which makes the performance tonight so important. but let�*s not forget, win and they

will top the group. we will see how it all plays off at eight o�*clock. thank you. and you can follow all the action tonighton bbc radio 5 live. the match kicks off at 8pm, and the build up starts from seven. a reminder of our top headline this afternoon the conservatives withdraw support for two of their candidates — craig williams and laura saunders — who are being looked into over alleged election betting. and a world first — china�*s space mission has landed back on earth, with the first ever rock samples from the far side of the moon. we�*ll have a full forecast in the next half hour, but it�*s time now for a quick look at the weather. here�*s elizabeth rizzini. hello. thank you. yesterday was the warmest day of the year so far in northern ireland, england and also in scotland. 27 celsius in aberdeenshire. but it is looking

very different here today. it is cloudy, showery, temperatures won�*t get much above 70 degrees. that sets the scene for what will happen to the scene for what will happen to the rest of us as we head through the rest of us as we head through the next couple of days. we have cooler air rolling in from the west. the temperatures will be dropping. i will have more on all of that later. thank you. throughout the general election campaign, we�*ve been asking you to get in touch with issues that matter to you, as part of �*your voice your vote�*. and today we�*re taking a closer look at what the parties are saying about mental health services. simon from harrogate has been in touch because he believes they should be higher on the political agenda. last year, simon tried to take his own life, and he�*s been speaking to our correspondent navtej johal. ijust felt like i�*d let everybody down, that i�*d failed... ..that i wasn�*t good enough, that i would be better off... ..not here any more.

in november last year, simon felt like his world was crashing down around him. pressures at work and home, the wait for an autism assessment — that he�*s still waiting for — all became too much, and he wanted to take his own life. if it wasn�*t for my wife and daughter, i could have done something quite serious. they locked me in the house, thankfully, and i ended up going to hospital, to a&e. it was devastating. they... they didn�*t know what to do. they�*d never seen me like this before. he was diagnosed with depression, and tried to kill himself before receiving the help he needed. he says he still feels guilty about what he put his family through. i forgive myself for feeling that way because i know that it is... ..it�*s natural, it happens. so i do forgive myself for that.

i find it difficult forgiving myself for the impact that it had on my family. simon�*s doing a lot better now, and finding joy in his favourite hobby again. so, simon, do you remember the first stamp that you got? not the first stamp that i actually got, but i do remember the first christmas stamps i got...in 1987. how many stamps do you have in total? thousands? probably... ..there are around about a million. what?! yeah, i give away... but many people struggling with mental—health issues are not receiving the support they need. the latest figure from the nhs shows that around two million people are on waiting lists for mental—health services. it�*s the issue simon believes the politicians should be talking about more in this election. he got in touch with us via your voice, your vote. there needs to be more...more investment in those services so that people can get access to them

when they need them... ..without having to wait until things get worse. and those working in mental—health services agree that more needs to be done by those in power. we can raise the standard of health care in mental—health hospitals, we can reform the mental health act — something that's been so long overdue. but the longer mental—health services go unfunded and deprioritised, the worse this is going to get. so it's very, very urgent that whoever comes into the next government prioritises mental health — all right, lads, welcome to- andy's man club here in harrogate. just for those of - you thinking about... for simon, this is one of the places that�*s kept him going. my name�*s simon. i started coming earlier in the year. a local support group in harrogate for men who�*ve faced mental—health struggles. i wasjust miserable every day. i didn't want to be here. i didn't want to be alive, i thought the world would be better off without me.

and part of me, as silly as it sounds, thought that if ijust ended my life, then maybe the bullies would realise what they were doing to someone. suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50, and this group is trying to help them open up. but many here also feel more support is needed from government. the hoops that you�*ve got to jump through just to get some help — it�*s. ..unmanageable. certainly the question that rattles around in your mind is, do they actually care? my message would be, to the next prime minister — whoever that might be — is to prioritise mental health. simon believes there�*s still a taboo around men�*s mental health, but he hopes by speaking out, he�*ll get the parties talking about it, too. nobody should take their own life, because that�*s a permanent decision that you can�*t take back. feeling depressed is a temporary thing, but taking your own life is a permanent one. navteonhal, bbc news, harrogate.

the five main parties in england have made commitments on mental health support in their manifestos. the conservative party say they would open early support hubs for those aged 11 — 25 in every community, along with ensuring mental health support teams cover all schools and colleges in england by 2030. labour, are proposing that they would recruit an extra 8,500 new mental health staff while opening community hubs to allow children and young people to access support. the liberal democrats say they would open walk—in community hubs for children and young people in every community and put a qualified mental health professional in every school. reform are pledging to launch an inquiry into social media harms including those associated with eating disorders, anxiety, depression, suicide and the child mental health crisis. and the green party of england and wales says it would increase funding for mental health care to give it parity with physical health, along with placing trained counsellors in every school and sixth—form college.

and as the general election gets closer, there�*s still time to suggest stories you�*d like your local news teams to look into. your voice, your vote puts your stories and questions at the heart of our coverage. you can submit your ideas on the bbc news website. still to come on today�*s programme... around 1.4 billion pounds worth of usable personal protective equipment has been destroyed or written off, in what is understood to be the most wasteful government deal of the covid—19 pandemic. it�*s time to join our colleagues with the news where you are. hello and welcome to sportsday. i�*m hugh ferris. our top stories... only two games in and already qualified for the last 16,

but england have some critics to prove wrong against slovenia tonight at the euros. norrie�*s nose dive in form continues. he�*s out of eastbourne after falling at the first hurdle for the second tournament in a row. and afghanistan make history at the t20 world cup, qualifying for the semi—finals of a global cricket tournament for the first time. hello again. england�*s place in the last 16 of the european championship is secure, but after their two performances in germany so far, their long term prospects in the tournament appear to be anything but. the critisicm levelled at the team after their draw against denmark would likely disappate if england beat slovenia in cologne to qualify for the knockout stage as group winners but whatever happens, gareth southgate is trying to keep his team and himself on an even keel.

asa as a player, as a manager, as a coach, 32 years in football, so i have seen and heard pretty much everything, i have been with england for the best part of 20 years as a player and head coach. there is very little i have not seen. so i think you are always giving context to the players because myjob as leader is to keep everybody in our camp on track. this is where we are at, this is the reality of where we�*re at, we sit on four points, top of the group, are we happy with how we are playing up until this point? no, because we think we can be better. had we played better than we had and had fewer points, it would be a different discussion. if we had more points and we had played worse, there would be a different discussion again. you are always trying to find the right approach

for this moment and experience helps that enormously. well, let�*s head to cologne and speak to our correspondent nesta mcgregor. nesta, it�*s often feast or famine when it comes to how england�*s journey at a major tournament is covered, but southgate and the team have some doubters to prove wrong tonight. one or two one ortwo and one or two and being criticised is an occupational hazard for any professional athlete. anyone will tell you they do have the final say because if harry kane and the team go and perform tonight, the criticism is likely to stop, but fans, media, pundits alike, probably right in saying england�*s performances so far have been below par, but as gareth southgate said, they are still in the tournament unbeaten. if england continue to play this way and win the tournament, would anybody complain? probably not. but it is not singling anyone out but let�*s look at 2a

captains in alan shearer and gary lineker, who are not wearing the shirt any more and theirjob is to analyse games, and with the current squad, its players who have worn the shirt before, they know what it is like being an england camp and hearing these whispers. it might be hard to take. harry kane has said time and again it is about togetherness. someone else who has had a say on it isjermainejenas. the performances have not been good enough _ the performances have not been good enough from the players, they know that. enough from the players, they know that they— enough from the players, they know that. they are not silly enough to think— that. they are not silly enough to think that — that. they are not silly enough to think that performances they are putting _ think that performances they are putting together are what group of players _ putting together are what group of players like this should be putting together, but at the same time, there _ together, but at the same time, there are — together, but at the same time, there are a _ together, but at the same time, there are a of positives and myself and everybody else sits there and we all feel_ and everybody else sits there and we all feel the _ and everybody else sits there and we all feel the same way, this is a team _ all feel the same way, this is a team that _ all feel the same way, this is a team that should be getting out of the group — team that should be getting out of the group comfortably, should be finishing — the group comfortably, should be finishing top of the group, hopefully they will get that done this evening, when you play for

england. — this evening, when you play for england, it is part of wearing the shirt, _ england, it is part of wearing the shirt, criticism from fans, the media, — shirt, criticism from fans, the media, from within, that is the whole — media, from within, that is the whole point of being an england footballer. you have to be able to handle _ footballer. you have to be able to handle the — footballer. you have to be able to handle the weight of it, and over the last— handle the weight of it, and over the last few major tournaments, this group _ the last few major tournaments, this group of— the last few major tournaments, this group of players have proved they are capable of doing that. itjust so happens right now they must find a performance. we as fans, pundits, all a performance. we as fans, pundits, at! have _ a performance. we as fans, pundits, at! have an _ a performance. we as fans, pundits, all have an opinion but it all must be levelled out in a way because the only be levelled out in a way because the onty person — be levelled out in a way because the only person that knows what is happening day in, day out in training— happening day in, day out in training is— happening day in, day out in training is gareth southgate, so he is doing _ training is gareth southgate, so he is doing what he thinks is best for the team — for a lot of people it is a long wait since england�*s men won a trophy, 1966. slovenia pose a test that england should easily pass, they are more than 50 rankings below them and maybe it is a chance for

gareth southgate to give the substitute chance, anthony gordon, cole palmer, conor gallagher, but they cannot afford to slip up because if they finish second in the group, they will face the germans. we have been speaking to england fans and they have been saying, no thank you. well, already there�*ve been a record—equalling amount of late goals at euro 202a. after last night, nine have been scored after the 90 minute mark, and italy were the latest to provide the drama as group b reached its climax. the defending champions got an equaliser against croatia with almost the last kick of the game in the 98th minute in leipzig, a goal that sent them through to the knockout stages and all—but knocked croatia out. mattia zaccagni was italy�*s hero. spain were already through before their final game against albania but completed a perfect group stage with a 1—0 win in dusseldorf. they aren�*t the first team to find it tough against the second—lowest ranked nation at euro 2024, but the 13th minute winner from ferran torres was enough

to send albania out and give spain three wins out of three so far. spain�*s result doesn�*tjust mean that england go through. france and the netherlands have also qualified for the last 16. where those teams finish in their group though will be determined in this afternoon�*s games. group d is the first to be concluded. france are playing poland, who are definitely out, in dortmund, with kylian mbappe potentially returning to the team after missing their last game because of his broken nose. while the netherlands and austria meet in berlin. the top three positions could all change after the final game. afghanistan have made history at the t20 world cup, qualifying for the semi—finals of a global cricket tournament for the first time, and knocking australia out in the process. they did it with a tense rain—affected win over bangladesh in st vincent and the grenadines. rashid khan and naveen ul haq both took four wickets

as bangladesh failed to reach their target of 114. afghanistan setting up a semi—final with south africa in trinidad later this week. while defending champions england will take on india in the other last four match. it's it�*s a big achievement for us being in the semifinals and i think the cricket we have played in the whole tournament so far, we have deserved tournament so far, we have deserved to be in the semifinals, and the way everyone took their responsibility of getting into the game and performing for the team, so i don�*t know how to describe my feelings but it�*s a massive achievement for us as a team and nation to be in the semifinals and now looking forward. reigning women�*s olympic 800m champion athing mu will not defend her title in paris after falling in the us trials. she beat britain�*s keely hodgkinson to the gold in tokyo. but at the event in eugene oregon that determines the usa olympic team, she tripped around 200 metres into her race and, after getting up, could only finish last. there are no second chances

or discretionary picks in the us qualifying so she won�*t be competing in her favourite event in paris. cameron norrie�*s poorform has continued as his wimbledon preparations took another hit at eastbourne. having recnetly lost his status as the british number one, norrie lost his first match at devonshire park, beaten in straight sets by finland�*s emil roosuvouri. norrie has now lost ten of his last 16 matches and has slipped outside of the world�*s top 40, having been ranked eighth just 18 months ago. elsewhere, liam broady, has lost the first set againstjapan�*s yoshihito nishioka — but an early break of serve in the second means broady currently leads three games to one. in the women�*s tournament, katie boulter�*s to come. emma raducanu is up against another former us open champion, sloane stephens, currently four games a piece

in the opening set. and earlier, lily miyazaki also couldn�*t make it beyond the first round, losing to elise mertens in straights sets. miyazaki has been given a wild card for wimbledon next week. that match is on bbc two right now. meanwhile there�*s plenty more over on the bbc sport website including all the build—up to tonight�*s england game at euro 2024. but that is all your sport for now. time to head back to the news at one team and anna foster. when the coronavirus pandemic began in the spring of 2020, countries around the world immediately tried to get hold of as much personal protective equipment, ppe, as fast as possible.

things like masks and gowns became desperately needed for people working in healthcare, and there wasn�*t enough for everybody. now the bbc has learned that around £1.4 billion worth of unused ppe has been destroyed, or written off, in what is thought to be the most wasteful government deal of the pandemic. the department of health and social care estimates it now has 3.9 billion more ppe items than it needs, which is around 10% of the total that was bought. it is currently spending an estimated £7 million a month storing those items. our investigations reporter, jon ironmonger, has been looking into one example. the stock from company, full support healthcare, will never be used, despite it being fully compliant and of a high quality. in the new forest last summer, this dump of medical aprons isjust one part of a much larger consignment of ppe supplied

early in the pandemic by full support healthcare at a total cost to the british taxpayer of £1.8 billion. but we can reveal that around £1.4 billion worth will never be used. it is the most money wasted on any public covid deal. figures obtained by the bbc after making repeated freedom the department of health would say they had to source ppe rapidly. i think it's really disgraceful. {1.4 think it�*s really disgraceful. £1.4 billion has been wasted on one contract for ppe that was perfectly usable, and a sum of money that could have paid the salaries of 37,000 nurses.— could have paid the salaries of 37,000 nurses. , ., , ., _ 37,000 nurses. figures obtained by the bbc after— 37,000 nurses. figures obtained by the bbc after repeated _ 37,000 nurses. figures obtained by the bbc after repeated freedom - 37,000 nurses. figures obtained by the bbc after repeated freedom of i the bbc after repeated freedom of information requests, show thatjust over a tenth of the gowns, facemasks and goggles procured from full support health care have been distributed to health settings.

the rest, around 1.6 billion items, have been destroyed, or stored pending disposal in warehouses like these, at a likely additional cost of more than £100 million. the health secretary, victoria atkins, has defended the government record in providing ppe and says it does not accept that £1.4 billion... the figure that has been quoted, the department of health does not accept. we are going to be hearing officially from the department of health on that, help, in the coming hours. but i should make the wider point, if you remember, and indeed i had to do many media rounds during the pandemic where, the whole country wanted us to get a fee ppe that our front line staff needed both in health care and in social care, and we managed to procure billions of pieces of ppe equipment. that was absolutely the right thing to do at the time, and we have used

the overwhelming majority of that ppe, but for a tiny, tiny proportion there is some ppe that we have had to destroy because it is the most cost—effective way of dealing with it. a former nurse, sarah stoute, started full support healthcare in 2001. her husband became a director two years later. this is the fairly unremarkable head office of full support health care. in 2020, it had a workforce of 25 people and annual profits of £800,000. but any profits made since winning the public contract are a mystery, because the stoutes registered their business in jersey a year later. one measure of the stoutes�* profits could be their subsequent purchases, which included a £30 million villa in barbados, and this equestrian centre in bedfordshire. through their lawyers, the stoutes have told us the business was offshored for privacy reasons, and is still registered in the uk for tax, as are they. the couple said no one at the department of health had ever contacted them about unused stock.

"neither full support, nor the stoutes, have done anything improper." four years since the first lockdown in england and wales, millions of pounds is spent every week storing and destroying excess ppe. jon ironmonger, bbc news. as many as 90,000 people who were affected by delays and cancellations at manchester airport over the weekend, are now beginning the process of seeking compensation for missed flights or delayed luggage. a series of flights at the uk�*s third—biggest airport were affected by a power surge which knocked out key security systems. as the summer holiday season gets closer, it raises questions about our rights when something goes wrong. nina warhust has been looking into it. it was utter chaos at manchester airport terminals one and two at the weekend, after a power failure meant more than 100 flights were cancelled. you can see in these images there was luggage piled high, there were halls packed full of people, plenty of holidays then off to a terrible start.

and there will be a knock—on beyond today to try and get those holidays sorted properly and reunite people with their luggage. this is the extent of the disruption then. a quarter of all outbound flights were cancelled by sunday lunchtime, and at least another 50 inbound flights were also cancelled. that is a lot of travellers looking for compensation. but that money will not come automatically. and that�*s because the power failure that caused the disruption has been deemed an extraordinary event. now that means the airlines are not liable. but if your luggage isn�*t where it should be, then the airline is obliged to get it back to you and to cover expenses, including clothes and reasonable necessities. so keep an eye on what you spend and the evidence to back it up. it�*s also worth checking your insurance policy as soon as possible to see what you�*re covered for, as there�*s sometimes a deadline to claim. and if you are booking a summer holiday soon, the advice from consumer experts is to take out

comprehensive cover. read it and be certain where you stand before the suitcase is even packed. so when you are choosing your travel insurance, please don't go for a token travel insurance policy just to cover you for x, y, and z, without reading all the ts and cs. make sure that you do look into it and make sure that it can cover you for a whole variety of different circumstances. travel disruption cover, for example, comes at a premium. it's not going to be part of your standard package, but the price you pay for not getting it could be an awful lot more. and i think people really do need to bear that in mind and not skimp on the all important travel insurance. manchester airport told us it�*s best to talk to your airline about where your bag might be. it is possible it�*s ended up at the right destination, but on the wrong plane. so stay in touch with your flight provider. nina warhurst reporting. a chinese spacecraft which has gathered the first ever soil and rock samples from the far side of the moon has returned to earth, after a nearly

two—month long mission. scientists believe the samples could answer the biggest questions about how planets are formed. our china correspondent laura bicker has more. broadcast live to the nation as it bobbed down—to—earth. the chang�*e—6 finally touched down with its treasure, says the state media anchor. she means prices soil samples that could unlock the mysteries of the far side of the moon. it�*s a world first, and a clear source of chinese pride. this is the first — clear source of chinese pride. this is the first time _ clear source of chinese pride. try 3 is the first time that we've got is the first time that we�*ve got samples exactly from the bit of the moon we can�*t see in the sky. so from a technical point of view it�*s obviously quite complicated, so it represents a good technical accomplishment. but from a scientific point of view, the samples brought back will be quite unique. the

samples brought back will be quite uniiue. ., �* ~ samples brought back will be quite uniiue. . �* ~, unique. the chang'e-6 blasted off in earl ma unique. the chang'e-6 blasted off in early may in — unique. the chang'e-6 blasted off in early may in what — unique. the chang'e-6 blasted off in early may in what was _ unique. the chang'e-6 blasted off in early may in what was a _ unique. the chang'e-6 blasted off in early may in what was a technically l early may in what was a technically demanding journey. a special satellite was needed to relay messages to the craft as it would not be visible from earth. then came the tricky part. landing on the moon�*s south pole. the surface here is different, more craters, a thicker crust. a mechanical arm and drill spent two days gathering samples. scientists are desperate to example —— examine the soil and rock. president xi as port huge resources into this space dream. china has harboured lunar emissions for hundreds of years. many of these built on the 17th century. but it�*s only in recent years they are making real gains and entering a space race with the united states. but this is notjust with the united states. but this is not just about putting with the united states. but this is notjust about putting a man or woman on the moon. it is about

staking a claim and controlling resources. washington is worried that china�*s space programme could have military uses. beijing insists its missions are peaceful. translation:— its missions are peaceful. translation: ., , ., translation: china is willing to continue working _ translation: china is willing to continue working with _ translation: china is willing to | continue working with like-minded continue working with like—minded international partners to explore outer space is a common territory for all humanity. this outer space is a common territory for all humanity.— for all humanity. this craft's mission. — for all humanity. this craft's mission, named _ for all humanity. this craft's mission, named after- for all humanity. this craft's. mission, named after a moon for all humanity. this craft's _ mission, named after a moon goddess, marks a new era in space exploration. one that for now china clearly dominates. laura bicker, bbc news, beijing. now the weather with elizabeth rizzini. what a gorgeous photo you have picked. isn�*t it lovely? the sunshine, the blue sky in hitchen in hertfordshire. and of course here it is still very warm today. would love it or hate it, the heat is not here to stay for the rest of the week. it

is going to be turning cooler from the north and west, and it has already started to happen. some showers with these weather fronts mostly towards the north and west. it remains humid across much of england and wales until we get to the end of the day on thursday. this is this afternoon. fresher air towards the north and west. it would brighten up here later on. cloud and showers on this front. from eastern scotland to northern england. the cloud breaking up, temperatures in the mid to high 20s. locally you could see 30 celsius. for some refreshment head to the coast where we are getting more of a sea breeze. the pollen levels are very high, cross pollen season at the moment. and overnight tonight a few splits and the spots of rain, but generally dry. or cloud, mistand murk. humid, sticky, uncomfortable for sleeping. here is where we have the fresher

feeling air, six to eight celsius. a lot of cooler airfor the feeling air, six to eight celsius. a lot of cooler air for the start of tomorrow. tomorrow it is more of the same. low cloud, mist and murk. tomorrow. tomorrow it is more of the same. low cloud, mistand murk. a few showers towards the west. some sunny spells and showers across much of scotland. brightness would the start of the day across northern ireland. we are keeping the heat across many parts of the south, the mid to high 20s, locally again 30 degrees. across the south a very uncomfortable night�*s sleep on wednesday. then this happens. low pressure above the west. behind it, fresher feeling conditions. pressure above the west. behind it, fresherfeeling conditions. they could be a few showers. more showers in the north and west. windy conditions for the time of the year. it will take some time for that cooler air to filter its way into south—east england and east anglia, but it will do by the time we get to the end of the day. more comfortable night for sleeping for many from thursday to friday. by the time we get to friday on the weekend

temperatures closer to the seasonal average. stilla temperatures closer to the seasonal average. still a few showers in the north and west. drier further south and east. there will be some sunshine. if you are lucky enough to be going to glastonbury, still warm on wednesday, may be a few showers by thursday. thank you. that�*s all from today�*s thank you. bbc news at one. enjoy the rest of the day. goodbye.

live from london. this is bbc news. the conservative party has withdrawn support from two candidates being looked into over the election betting scandal. julian assange leaves the uk after agreeing a plea deal with us authorities — after a 14—year legal battle. the post office inquiry questions the computer engineer who helped design the horizon programme at the centre of the scandal.

a section of the kenyan parliament is on fire. a number of people have been killed. and a royal welcome for the emperor ofjapan — as he begins a three—day state visit to the uk. hello and welcome. the conservative party has withdrawn support for two of its candidates the week before the uk goes to the polls for the general election. both craig williams — who was a close aide to rishi sunak — and laura saunders — who is married to the conservatives�* director of campaigning — are being looked into by the gambling commission over alleged bets placed on the timing of the election. our political correspondent hannah miller reports. did you have any inside information when you made the bet? i clearly made a huge error ofjudgment. it is almost two weeks since it

emerged that the one of the prime minister�*s closest aides had placed a bet on the date