applause passion. fingerjabbing. anger. interruption. scripted putdowns. a lively free flowing debate. the best bits are on the way. also on the programme tonight: constance marten and her partner mark gordon are found guilty of concealing the birth of their baby daughter — whose body was found last year after a nationwide search. the americanjournalist evan gershkovich goes on trial in russia accused of spying there. and limbering up at the euros — we'll have the latest on who england are going to face in their next match of the tournament. and stay with us here on bbc news for continuing coverage and analysis from our team of correspondents in the uk and around the world.

good evening from nottingham where rishi sunak and sir keir starmer have clashed over tax, immigration and welfare in theirfinal head to head debate before polling day next thursday. it was a heated confrontation, during which they faced questions from a live audience behind me, who challenged them to explain and justify their stance on integrity in politics, the cost of living and brexit. our political editor chris mason is here. what stood out? for me it was all about the tone, it was all about the exchanges as opposed to the contents but the content matters but much of that will be familiar to regular viewers over the past five weeks or so. but it was the exchanges which are defined tonight. it was a much more free—flowing debate compared to previous debates in this campaign. there was more anger, more passion,

morejeopardy. rishi sunak had nothing to lose tonight and that defined his approach, i thought. nothing to lose tonight and that defined his approach, ithought. he really went for it. you could feel that. keir starmer had everything to lose and you could sense that too but he was much more aggressive than he was a a few weeks ago. i think you kicked himself a bit after that debate for being insufficiently aggressive, as he might have seen it. tonight the scripted put—downs were there from both of them, the things that they anticipate might come up on social media between now and polling day. they were prepped, conscious of what was at stake, it was quite a watch. when this campaign started it felt like spring. summer has finally arrived for now at least in nottingham. and so too the two men wanting to be prime minister the weekend after next.

tonight the beginning of the sprint finish to polling day. first up, you probably won't be surprised by sue's question. probably won't be surprised by sue's cuestion. ., , ., , probably won't be surprised by sue's cuestion. .,, ., , _ question. people are dismayed by the lack of integrity _ question. people are dismayed by the lack of integrity in _ question. people are dismayed by the lack of integrity in politics _ question. people are dismayed by the lack of integrity in politics today. - lack of integrity in politics today. after_ lack of integrity in politics today. after the — lack of integrity in politics today. after the recent _ lack of integrity in politics today. after the recent allegations - lack of integrity in politics today. | after the recent allegations about political _ after the recent allegations about political betting, _ after the recent allegations about political betting, how _ after the recent allegations about political betting, how would - after the recent allegations about political betting, how would you l political betting, how would you restore — political betting, how would you restore trust _ political betting, how would you restore trust in _ political betting, how would you restore trust in politics? - political betting, how would you restore trust in politics? this i restore trust in politics? this takes leadership. _ restore trust in politics? this takes leadership. what - restore trust in politics? tiiiii: takes leadership. what i restore trust in politics? takes leadership. what i did restore trust in politics?— takes leadership. what i did when one of my team was alleged to have been involved and investigated by the gambling commission they were suspended within minutes. i was furious to hear _ suspended within minutes. i was furious to hear about _ suspended within minutes. i was furious to hear about these - suspended within minutes. i was furious to hear about these things. thate— furious to hear about these things. that's why— furious to hear about these things. that's why have dealt with it. the choice _ that's why have dealt with it. the choice of — that's why have dealt with it. the choice of this election is about leadership and integrity in politics as sue _ leadership and integrity in politics as sue said. keir starmer has made this broader— as sue said. keir starmer has made this broader point but the point is he has _ this broader point but the point is he has changed his mind on every major— he has changed his mind on every major position he has taken. sir keir major position he has taken. keir starmer major position he has taken. s " keir starmerjabbed back, what about wider questions of culture in government, he asked. this isn't 'ust what government, he asked. this isn't just what has _ government, he asked. this isn't just what has happened - government, he asked. this isn't

just what has happened this - government, he asked. this isn't. just what has happened this week, last week in the gambling commission. we saw partygate. the prime minister himself was convicted and fined for breaking the rules which he brought in and imposed on everybody else. which he brought in and imposed on everybody else-— everybody else. next, a question about benefits _ everybody else. next, a question about benefits as _ everybody else. next, a question about benefits as the _ everybody else. next, a question about benefits as the exchangesl everybody else. next, a question i about benefits as the exchanges got more punchy, energised, personal. i just want to address your point... you opposed it when i announced it. if you opposed it when i announced it. if you _ you opposed it when i announced it. if you listened to people in the audience, across the country more often, you might not be quite so out often, you might not be quite so out of touch. beverly... applause you will have... that's why you cannot — you will have... that's why you cannot deliver. people shouldn't surrender— cannot deliver. people shouldn't surrender to this. if cannot deliver. people shouldn't surrender to this.— cannot deliver. people shouldn't surrender to this. if there was that much wrong _ surrender to this. if there was that much wrong with _ surrender to this. if there was that much wrong with the _ surrender to this. if there was that much wrong with the system, - surrender to this. if there was that much wrong with the system, who | surrender to this. if there was that l much wrong with the system, who is the guy in charge of the system over the guy in charge of the system over the last ia years? why is it so bad? you want to be in charge but you have _ you want to be in charge but you have nothing to say to people about what you _ have nothing to say to people about what you would do about it. we have nothing to say to people about what you would do about it.- what you would do about it. we are an island. what you would do about it. we are an island- why _ what you would do about it. we are an island. why can't _ what you would do about it. we are an island. why can't we _ what you would do about it. we are an island. why can't we easily - what you would do about it. we are| an island. why can't we easily close our borders? — an island. why can't we easily close our borders? if— an island. why can't we easily close our borders?—

our borders? if keir starmer is prime minister _ our borders? if keir starmer is prime minister all _ our borders? if keir starmer is prime minister all of _ our borders? if keir starmer is prime minister all of those - our borders? if keir starmer is i prime minister all of those illegal migrants — prime minister all of those illegal migrants will be out on our streets. that is— migrants will be out on our streets. that is your— migrants will be out on our streets. that is your choice. do not surrender— that is your choice. do not surrender your borders to the labour party _ surrender your borders to the labour pa . , , . ., , surrender your borders to the labour pa . , , , ., party. this is complete and utter nonsense- _ party. this is complete and utter nonsense- if _ party. this is complete and utter nonsense. if it _ party. this is complete and utter nonsense. if it were _ party. this is complete and utter nonsense. if it were working, - party. this is complete and utterl nonsense. if it were working, why are record numbers still coming under your watch? are record numbers still coming underyourwatch? how are record numbers still coming under your watch? how on earth could you say it is working? iran. syria. afghanistan. when keir stanner— iran. syria. afghanistan. when keir starmer says he will return people, is he _ starmer says he will return people, is he going — starmer says he will return people, is he going to sit down, will you sit down — is he going to sit down, will you sit down with the iranian ayatollahs and try— sit down with the iranian ayatollahs and try and — sit down with the iranian ayatollahs and try and do a deal with the taliban? _ and try and do a deal with the taliban? it is completely nonsensical what you are saying. next _ nonsensical what you are saying. next the — nonsensical what you are saying. next the economy and rishi sunak returning to a favourite theme. i say that the labour party's policies will mean — say that the labour party's policies will mean all of your taxes are going — will mean all of your taxes are going to — will mean all of your taxes are going to go up by thousands of pounds — going to go up by thousands of pounds. it is in their dna. mark my words _ pounds. it is in their dna. mark my words your— pounds. it is in their dna. mark my words. your pension, your council tax, _ words. your pension, your council tax. your— words. your pension, your council tax, your home, your car, you name it they— tax, your home, your car, you name it they will— tax, your home, your car, you name it they will tax — tax, your home, your car, you name it they will tax it.— it they will tax it. pensioners are not auoin it they will tax it. pensioners are not going to be _ it they will tax it. pensioners are not going to be better off - it they will tax it. pensioners are not going to be better off with i it they will tax it. pensioners are not going to be better off with a| not going to be better off with a prime minister who is making promises he cannot keep because they

aren't funded. that is exactly what liz truss got wrong. there is one thing we cannot repeat, please do not go back to liz truss mark two with this prime minister because the same damage will follow. the with this prime minister because the same damage will follow.— same damage will follow. the whole oint of same damage will follow. the whole point of nights _ same damage will follow. the whole point of nights like _ same damage will follow. the whole point of nights like this _ same damage will follow. the whole point of nights like this is the - point of nights like this is the power lies with the audience in the room and robert made the most of it. rishi sunak, i think you made a fair 'ob rishi sunak, i think you made a fair job of— rishi sunak, i think you made a fair job of being — rishi sunak, i think you made a fair job of being chancellor— rishi sunak, i think you made a fair job of being chancellor but - rishi sunak, i think you made a fair job of being chancellor but you - rishi sunak, i think you made a fair job of being chancellor but you are i job of being chancellor but you are a pretty— job of being chancellor but you are a pretty mediocre _ job of being chancellor but you are a pretty mediocre prime _ job of being chancellor but you are a pretty mediocre prime minister. i a pretty mediocre prime minister. sir keir_ a pretty mediocre prime minister. sir keir starmer, _ a pretty mediocre prime minister. sir keir starmer, i— a pretty mediocre prime minister. sir keir starmer, ithink— a pretty mediocre prime minister. sir keir starmer, i think that - a pretty mediocre prime minister. sir keir starmer, i think that your| sir keir starmer, i think that your strings— sir keir starmer, i think that your strings are — sir keir starmer, i think that your strings are being _ sir keir starmer, i think that your strings are being pulled - sir keir starmer, i think that your strings are being pulled by- sir keir starmer, i think that your strings are being pulled by very l strings are being pulled by very senior— strings are being pulled by very senior members— strings are being pulled by very senior members of— strings are being pulled by very senior members of the - strings are being pulled by very senior members of the labour. strings are being pulled by very - senior members of the labour party. are you _ senior members of the labour party. are you two— senior members of the labour party. are you two really— senior members of the labour party. are you two really the _ senior members of the labour party. are you two really the best - senior members of the labour party. are you two really the best we - senior members of the labour party. are you two really the best we havel are you two really the best we have -ot are you two really the best we have got to _ are you two really the best we have got to be _ are you two really the best we have got to be the — are you two really the best we have got to be the next _ are you two really the best we have got to be the next prime _ are you two really the best we have got to be the next prime minister. are you two really the best we have| got to be the next prime minister of our great _ got to be the next prime minister of our great country? _ our great country? applause - applause my primaryjob was to deliver that economic— my primaryjob was to deliver that economic stability sol my primaryjob was to deliver that economic stability so i could start cutting _ economic stability so i could start cutting your taxes. that is the journey — cutting your taxes. that is the journey we are now on. whatever are your frustrations, the choice for your frustrations, the choice for you at— your frustrations, the choice for you at this _ your frustrations, the choice for you at this election is about the future — you at this election is about the

future. lt— you at this election is about the future. . , you at this election is about the future. ., , ., , you at this election is about the future. .,, ., , ., ., future. it has to be rooted if we are going _ future. it has to be rooted if we are going to _ future. it has to be rooted if we are going to restore _ future. it has to be rooted if we are going to restore hope - future. it has to be rooted if we are going to restore hope in - future. it has to be rooted if we j are going to restore hope in my future. it has to be rooted if we - are going to restore hope in my view in returning politics to service. a sense that you come into politics to serve. . ~' sense that you come into politics to serve. . ~ ., , sense that you come into politics to serve. a ., , ., , serve. vicki in oxfordshire asks this, will you — serve. vicki in oxfordshire asks this, will you protect— serve. vicki in oxfordshire asks this, will you protect women's. this, will you protect women's rights — this, will you protect women's rights to— this, will you protect women's rights to single _ this, will you protect women's rights to single sex _ this, will you protect women's rights to single sex spaces - this, will you protect women's rights to single sex spaces if i this, will you protect women's i rights to single sex spaces if they hold a _ rights to single sex spaces if they hold a gender— rights to single sex spaces if they hold a gender recognition - hold a gender recognition certificate? _ hold a gender recognition certificate?— hold a gender recognition certificate? ., ., ., ., certificate? not all of you would a . ree certificate? not all of you would agree with _ certificate? not all of you would agree with my — certificate? not all of you would agree with my position - certificate? not all of you would agree with my position but - certificate? not all of you would agree with my position but i've. certificate? not all of you would - agree with my position but i've been clear with _ agree with my position but i've been clear with you, sex means biological sex, you _ clear with you, sex means biological sex, you must change the equalities act. sex, you must change the equalities act~ that _ sex, you must change the equalities act~ that is — sex, you must change the equalities act. that is what i believe the right— act. that is what i believe the right thing for our country is. keir starmer said _ right thing for our country is. keir starmer said it _ right thing for our country is. lie: " starmer said it was right thing for our country is. iie: " starmer said it was important right thing for our country is. i;2 " starmer said it was important to protect women's spaces and added... i will treat them as a treat with all human beings, with dignity and respect, and i will tell you for why... applause the prime minister standing in parliament making an anti—transgenderjoke in front of the mother of a murdered trans

teenager. i will never allow myself to be put into that position. applause brexit was discussed too as were prospects for young people and then this flashpoint during their closing statements. find this flashpoint during their closing statements-— this flashpoint during their closing statements. �* , ., ., statements. and before you make that choice, think— statements. and before you make that choice, think what _ statements. and before you make that choice, think what a _ statements. and before you make that choice, think what a labour _ choice, think what a labour government would mean. can you afford _ government would mean. can you afford to— government would mean. can you afford to pay at least £2000 more in tax? . , afford to pay at least £2000 more in tax? ., , ., ., ., , , tax? that is a lie and he has been told not to _ tax? that is a lie and he has been told not to repeat _ tax? that is a lie and he has been told not to repeat that _ tax? that is a lie and he has been told not to repeat that and - tax? that is a lie and he has been told not to repeat that and he - tax? that is a lie and he has been told not to repeat that and he has just done it. told not to repeat that and he has just done it-_ told not to repeat that and he has just done it-— just done it. this is your closing statement. _ just done it. this is your closing statement, keir _ just done it. this is your closing statement, keir starmer. - just done it. this is your closing statement, keir starmer. if - just done it. this is your closing statement, keir starmer. if youj just done it. this is your closing - statement, keir starmer. if you want to end 14 years _ statement, keir starmer. if you want to end 14 years of — statement, keir starmer. if you want to end 14 years of chaos _ statement, keir starmer. if you want to end 14 years of chaos and - statement, keir starmer. if you want to end 14 years of chaos and rebuild l to end ia years of chaos and rebuild our country then that power is in your hands. our country then that power is in your hands-— our country then that power is in your hands. and that was it. five weeks after _ your hands. and that was it. five weeks after this _ your hands. and that was it. five weeks after this campaign - your hands. and that was it. five | weeks after this campaign began, your hands. and that was it. five - weeks after this campaign began, the final set piece moment had finished. chris mason reporting there. we will hear from chris a little later in the programme. in the bbc�*s first election debate earlier in the month, we spoke to representatives from the seven biggest parties in great britain, which included the conservatives and labour.

we asked the other five for their reaction to tonight's debate. here's those who replied. it was like a third rate vaudeville act. the big things that were meant to be mentioned were not. scotland wasn't mentioned, brexit wasn't mentioned, even in the response to the trading relationship with europe. austerity wasn't mentioned. this represents this election and i have been here for a0 years, it represents the biggest fraud on the people of the uk and scotland than i've ever seen. if people of the uk and scotland than i've ever seen.— i've ever seen. if you listened to the debate _ i've ever seen. if you listened to the debate tonight _ i've ever seen. if you listened to the debate tonight i _ i've ever seen. if you listened to the debate tonight i think - i've ever seen. if you listened to the debate tonight i think the i the debate tonight i think the gentleman who hit the nail on the head _ gentleman who hit the nail on the head was— gentleman who hit the nail on the head was the gentleman who said, is this really— head was the gentleman who said, is this really the best that we've got. actually— this really the best that we've got. actually what we've seen over the last few _ actually what we've seen over the last few weeks is that many people have made a human connection to ed davey— have made a human connection to ed davey because he has demonstrated that we _ davey because he has demonstrated that we can make people laugh, cry, and he _ that we can make people laugh, cry, and he has _ that we can make people laugh, cry, and he has a — that we can make people laugh, cry, and he has a real experience, a lifetime — and he has a real experience, a lifetime of— and he has a real experience, a lifetime of experience. | and he has a real experience, a lifetime of experience.- and he has a real experience, a lifetime of experience. i think it was the narrowness _ lifetime of experience. i think it was the narrowness of - lifetime of experience. i think it was the narrowness of the i lifetime of experience. i think it l was the narrowness of the debate which _ was the narrowness of the debate which was — was the narrowness of the debate which was most _ was the narrowness of the debate which was most shocking - was the narrowness of the debate which was most shocking and i was the narrowness of the debatej which was most shocking and that was the narrowness of the debate i which was most shocking and that is what happens — which was most shocking and that is what happens when _ which was most shocking and that is what happens when you _ which was most shocking and that is what happens when you leave - which was most shocking and that is what happens when you leave out i which was most shocking and that is| what happens when you leave out all of the _ what happens when you leave out all of the other— what happens when you leave out all of the other parties _ what happens when you leave out all of the other parties from _ what happens when you leave out all

of the other parties from the - of the other parties from the debates. _ of the other parties from the debates, quite _ of the other parties from the debates, quite frankly. i of the other parties from the . debates, quite frankly. we had of the other parties from the i debates, quite frankly. we had a conspiracy— debates, quite frankly. we had a conspiracy of _ debates, quite frankly. we had a conspiracy of silence _ debates, quite frankly. we had a conspiracy of silence from - debates, quite frankly. we had a conspiracy of silence from the i debates, quite frankly. we had a. conspiracy of silence from the two main _ conspiracy of silence from the two main parties — conspiracy of silence from the two main parties on _ conspiracy of silence from the two main parties on some _ conspiracy of silence from the two main parties on some of- conspiracy of silence from the two main parties on some of the i conspiracy of silence from the two main parties on some of the key. main parties on some of the key issues _ main parties on some of the key issues like — main parties on some of the key issues like the _ main parties on some of the key issues like the climate - main parties on some of the key issues like the climate crisis, i main parties on some of the keyl issues like the climate crisis, like the situation _ issues like the climate crisis, like the situation in _ issues like the climate crisis, like the situation in gaza, _ issues like the climate crisis, like the situation in gaza, nobody- the situation in gaza, nobody standing _ the situation in gaza, nobody standing up _ the situation in gaza, nobody standing up for— the situation in gaza, nobody standing up for issues - the situation in gaza, nobody standing up for issues like i the situation in gaza, nobody. standing up for issues like free movement _ standing up for issues like free movement. what _ standing up for issues like free movement. what we _ standing up for issues like free movement. what we had i standing up for issues like free movement. what we had were| standing up for issues like free - movement. what we had were two men basically— movement. what we had were two men basically trying — movement. what we had were two men basically trying to — movement. what we had were two men basically trying to outcompete - movement. what we had were two men basically trying to outcompete each i basically trying to outcompete each other— basically trying to outcompete each other to _ basically trying to outcompete each other to be — basically trying to outcompete each other to be as— basically trying to outcompete each other to be as cruel— basically trying to outcompete each other to be as cruel as _ basically trying to outcompete each other to be as cruel as possible i basically trying to outcompete each other to be as cruel as possible to. other to be as cruel as possible to some _ other to be as cruel as possible to some of— other to be as cruel as possible to some of the — other to be as cruel as possible to some of the most _ other to be as cruel as possible to some of the most vulnerable i other to be as cruel as possible to i some of the most vulnerable people. rishi sunak— some of the most vulnerable people. rishi sunak was _ some of the most vulnerable people. rishi sunak was referring _ some of the most vulnerable people. rishi sunak was referring to - some of the most vulnerable people. rishi sunak was referring to wales i rishi sunak was referring to wales as a political football which doesn't look to me like a real plan to talk about. there was a gentleman in the audience who asked, are these two met with the best on offer? i think there will be many people who agree with that. well, let's get a bit more detail on the claims made about immigration. bbc verify�*s nick eardley is in the newsroom in london. some heated exchanges and claims on small boats crossings. here is a reminder of what was said.

the numbers have come down over the last12 _ the numbers have come down over the last 12 months compared to the 12 months _ last 12 months compared to the 12 months before. in order to fully solve _ months before. in order to fully solve this— months before. in order to fully solve this problem you need a deterrent. there are tens of thousands. 50,000 people have come since rishi sunak has been prime minister. 50,000 across the channel. let has been prime minister. 50,000 across the channel.— has been prime minister. 50,000 across the channel. let me show you what has happened _ across the channel. let me show you what has happened in _ across the channel. let me show you what has happened in the _ across the channel. let me show you what has happened in the last - across the channel. let me show you what has happened in the last few. what has happened in the last few years. there is no doubt when you look at this graphic here that the number of small boats has gone up considerably overall and when you add this together keir starmer was right to say that 50,000 people have entered the country on small boats since rishi sunak became prime minister. but they were both using different calculations about what is happening right now. because although it isn't totally clear from all of this, it is true to say that small boats crossings are down over the last 12 months. they are down as was claimed 30%. however, look at that red line there. there have been a record number of people crossing the channel on small boats so far in

2024. that is a bit of context as to why they could both make those claims on small boats. through the whole campaign both parties have been trading blows on tax and spending. you probably noticed in his closing statement that the prime minister mentioned tax going up £2000 for working families under labour. a reminder, we have checked this one before, it risks misleading people. it is based on questionable assumptions from political advisers. there is a lot more fact checking online now on bbc verify. thank you for that reminder. a last word with chris mason. where does this last debate leave the contenders? it leaves the two camps pondering how their men have done and beginning the spin to try and argue that their candidate has won. i will

give you a sense. labour saying there was only one person who looked in the room like they were a prime minister and it was keir starmer. conservatives saying they were happy with the prime minister's performance and poked at the fact keir starmer had no answer, they claim, on what he would do with illegal migrants. i think if we take a bit of a step back. this is a format rishi sunak seems more comfortable in than keir starmer. his message was a very noticeable tonight, a repeated phrase about don't surrender, the idea of the country being handed over to labour if labour win the general election. from labour's perspective, a definite strategy tonight, as i mentioned a few minutes ago, to be much, much more punchy. they knew rishi sunak was likely to throw the kitchen sink at them. they were trying to argue back in a similar kind of way without, so they hoped, losing an audience that might think it is far too interrupted, far too

confrontational. what i am struck by as a final thought is that the opinion polls have barely budged an inch in this campaign as far as the conservatives and labour are concerned with labour miles ahead. when you watched that debate tonight, it felt much more competitive than those polls might suggest. a snap poll from yougov of said it was 50—50 in terms of the performance of each of them as far as the audience at home was concerned. nothing yet in this campaign has significantly shifted these polls. let's see if they saw anything in the final week can or does. , ., ~ anything in the final week can or does. , . ~ , ., anything in the final week can or does. , . ~' , ., , does. yes, indeed. thank you very much. and if you want more on the debate, do watch newsnight — here's kirsty wark. we'll be taking apart whatjust happened in that fiery leaders debate with wes streeting and victoria atkins in the spin room, and our panel in the studio, dojoin us at10.30 on bbc two and bbc iplayer. in other election news —

the social democratic and labour party also brought out its manifesto. the sdlp want to see a united ireland, and its leader colum eastwood criticised the other nationalist party, sinn fein, for not taking their seats in the house of commons. mr eastwood urged voters to think carefully about how they use their vote in this election. don't listen to what commentators are telling you. there are no big majorities, there are no sure things. if you want sdlp mps to go to westminster, speak up for you, you have to actually vote for them. do not waste your opportunity in that election, don't give... don't wake up the next day and say, "god, i thought they were safe." i'll be back a little later with the views of young voters and a look ahead to polling day with clive and laura — but for now back to ben in the studio. a couple who were accused of the manslaughter of their newborn baby by gross negligence will face

a retrial, after an old baileyjury failed to reach a verdict last week. it can now be reported that constance marten and mark gordon have been found guilty of concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice. their daughter's body was found in a shed in brighton last year, after a nationwide search. daniel sandford reports. it was when their car burst into flames on the m62 near bolton and police found evidence of a recent birth — a placenta on the back seat — that constance marten and mark gordon first came to public attention in january last year. they were trying to avoid the authorities because their previous four children had been removed by the family court. there was a highly publicised national manhunt. the couple travelled from bolton to harwich in essex and then to london, where they bought a £40 tent, then they headed to newhaven on the south coast and out onto the south downs to camp.

they were still carrying their newborn baby victoria and had told no one that she had been born. police officers searching an allotment shed in brighton seven and a half weeks later found her body in a shopping bag, but she'd been dead so long a pathologist couldn't work out her cause of death. the couple stood trial on charges including manslaughter by gross negligence. they both denied all the charges. the trial began injanuary but last week the jury was discharged after being unable to reach a verdict on some of the charges. until now legal restrictions prevented us reporting two verdicts the jury were able to reach before being discharged. they found constance marten and mark gordon guilty of concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course ofjustice by hiding the body of their child for so long that a postmortem examination could not find the cause of death. the couple now face a retrial on the other charges and that's currently scheduled

for march next year. daniel sandford, bbc news at the old bailey. the woman who lost control of her car and killed two eight year old girls at a school in wimbledon last year will not be prosecuted. it's been revealed claire freemantle suffered an epileptic seizure while at the wheel — the first time she'd suffered one. she's expressed her deepest sorrow, but the families of the girls who died have criticised the decision not to charge her. an inquestjury has found that failures "across multiple agencies" contributed to the death of zara aleena, the law graduate who was murdered on her walk home two years ago. jordan mcsweeney, who's serving a life sentence for miss aleena's death, was wanted by police at the time of the attack. he'd been out of prison forjust nine days and had already broken the terms of his probation. his licence was recalled, but attempts to locate him failed.

he abducted, raped and killed zara two days later. the chief probation officer has apologised to her family and friends, and said significant steps had been taken to address the issues identified. soldiers and armoured vehicles have encircled government buildings in bolivia's main city, la paz. the president has denounced the irregular presence of army units and has called for democracy to be respected. the former left—wing president, evo morales, says that a military coup is under way. he has urged community and union leaders to take to the streets to defend democracy and the rule of law. the trial has finally begun of evan gershkovich, an american journalist for the wall streetjournal who the russian authorities have accused of spying. he's been imprisoned for nearly fifteen months, but today he appeared in court, head shaven and standing in a glass cage. 0ur russia editor steve

rosenberg was in court. this is evan gershkovich, after 15 months in a russian jail, awaiting trial. russian prosecutors call him a spy. america says he's being held hostage. as his trial opened, some smiles. but, if convicted, the usjournalist faces up to 20 years in a russian prison. so, we managed to see evan gershkovich briefly. but, from this moment on, this trial will be behind closed doors. so, no family members, no diplomats, no media allowed in. the next time we may be able to see the american journalist will be at the end of his trial. he was arrested on a reporting assignment here in yekaterinburg and accused of collecting information for the cia. evan gershkovich, his employer, the wall streetjournal, and the us government fiercely deny

it and call the trial a sham. this is a bogus process. this is outrageous and outlandish. he will not enjoy any of the due process that one would expect in the west, in any western court. it will be closed door, it will be secret. we don't expect any chance, really, of his being acquitted. but could there be a prisoner swap? it's happened before. in 2022, russia freed us basketball star brittney griner, injail on a drugs charge. in return, america released russian arms dealer viktor bout. there's no guarantee though. former marine paul whelan was convicted of spying four years ago in russia. the us insists he is wrongfully detained but hasn't secured his release. and, despite us—russian contacts over evan gershkovich, there is no sign yet of a deal that

would bring him home. steve rosenberg, bbc news, yekaterinburg. in the last few minutes, england have learned they will face slovakia in the next round of the euros on sunday. in a moment we'll speak to andy swiss about that next england game, but first here's joe lynskey with today's action. it's their first major tournament, they're ranked 74th in the world, but georgia in each match take the same approach. in portugal, they faced a team of superstars, but this growing football nation has one of its own. kvaratskhelia for georgia! his fans at club and country call him kvaradona. for khvicha kvaratskhelia, this was a childhood dream. his ambition was to play against cristiano ronaldo. now, his team were keeping the 39—year—old restricted. and as belief ran through georgia,

they got a chance from the spot. a win that takes them through, one of the euros' great upsets. portugal and turkey willjoin them in the knockouts. in group e, there was deadlock. all four teams would start the last match on three points. slovakia were first to make a break for the summit, but romania drew level — and for these teams, that suited. a 1—1 draw put both nations through and means slovakia will face england next. that result left ukraine as the team who had to win. they came this close against belgium, but with a 0—0 draw, this group was poised like none before. all four teams had finished on four points. the nation going home could be seen by the faces. ukraine out on goal difference — at the end of the group stage, this was a cruel conclusion. joe lynskey, bbc news.

let's go to andy swiss in cologne. andy, tell us more about england's next match. what will the england squad be thinking about that? 0n on paper, this is a pretty kind draw for england. they could have faced the netherlands, which would have been tricky but, as you say, they face slovakia. slovakia 45th in the world rankings, 40 places below england, so england will start as the favourites in that match on sunday and, if they win, and there is obviously still a very big if, the draw is opening up very nicely for england, because four of the big teams, spain, portugal, germany and france, are on the other side of the draw, so england can't play them until the final. one other bit of news from the england camp, which is that phil foden is returning home for a few days for the birth of his

third child. the fa released a statement and said that foden was returning home because of what they called a pressing family matter, but it's hoped he will be back in time for england next match on sunday. andy swiss in cologne. that's it from me, let's return now to nottingham with reeta. thanks, ben. hundreds of thousands of young people are eligible to vote for the first time this year — what do they, and other younger voters, make of the campaigns? as part of our election coverage, we have teamed up with radio 1's newsbeat, who are doing a "race across the uk", stopping along the way at locations, known as checkpoints, some of which have been picked by listeners. jordan kenny is their politics reporter. we spent the day with him in liverpool. radio 1, newsbeat. race across the uk — a microphone at one end of the uk and going all the way to the other.

we are just pulling in to our next checkpoint after about eight hours on this boat, and it is liverpool. there's an election coming on the 4th ofjuly. are you interested in it? everything just seems awful. i think this year it's probablyjust going to be a case of voting for the least awful. what issues do you think are important to young people here in liverpool ahead of the general election? when you go out, it's so scary, like, because you never know who could be round any corner and that needs to be addressed. because especially with knife crime and things like that, itjust has shot up in the last few years and it's terrifying. the cost of everything isjust a nightmare at the moment. you know, we've come out and i've had to borrow money because i'm not earning enough to be able to go out and do things that i want to do. you know, i'm 19 and i want to be able to go out and enjoy time with my friends. so liverpool is a city with about seven universities and colleges, roughly 70,000 students living here. you guys are two of them. what are the top priorities for students here in liverpool?

mental health, for sure. support for mental health, for children, young people. it's skyrocketed and there needs to be more put in, not more taken out. especially as a young person, this national service thing, it just feels ridiculous. it'sjust not giving me a reason to vote for the conservatives. has that put you off voting for them entirely? i mean, maybe. i don't feel like i'm being given reasons to vote for anyone specifically, but that definitely doesn't help at all. they're all the same, aren't they? what do you mean by that? somebody else said that to me today. when you say they're all the same, what do you mean? they're all the same pack of liars. they're no help to any of us. like for my brothers, for instance, just out of school, nothing. no jobs available for them. and obviously they can't go on jobseekers', things like that. you don't want them on that. but, even if there's no help for them, for young people get employed. what issues are most important to you guys as young people? the nhs is my biggest one. it needs a lot more funding.

a lot more funding. i think the nurses especially deserve a fairer wage. can i ask who you voted for at the last election? i don't think i voted, actually, at the last one. what's changed this time around that now you do want to vote? if you're not happy and you don't make changes or have your voice heard, it's never going to change, is it? so it may only be a little voice, but it's still a voice. no matter where we have ended up in the country so far, one issue comes up the country so far, one issue comes up time and time again, the cost of living. so what are the parties promising? the conservatives say they will keep a cap on how much you pay for energy and they say eventually they will scrap national insurance. laboursay eventually they will scrap national insurance. labour say they will ban zero—hour contracts, make the minimum wage a living wage and they say they will cut energy bills. that's something the lib dems say they will do, too, while coming up

with a strategy to cut food prices. the snp say they will support the most vulnerable with their energy bills in the winter and scrap standing charges on prepayment meters. thank you, jordan kenny. so, injust over a week, the bbc will be bringing you the election night programme, hosted by laura kuennsberg and clive myrie, and me too, and i'm pleased to say they are both here. how will the night unfold? next thursday is that powerful moment when the campaign. ireland, all the shouting stops, politicians instead are not shouting across the airwaves and, when we go on airjust before 10pm, just before the ballot boxes shut at ten o'clock, on the stroke of big ben, we will reveal the exit poll, which we carry out in conjunction with our other broadcasting colleagues across the

country, which will give us not the result but a very clear indication of how things are going to pan out, and essentially it's a very strong taster addiction of who is going to run the country it's a race to get the first declarations in, which tend to happen about an hour later, and by the early hours there will be all sorts of results in and we will have a clear idea of what has happened and who is going to run the country and what voters, not politicians, have decided. described the operation- _ politicians, have decided. described the operation. it's _ politicians, have decided. described the operation. it's the _ politicians, have decided. described the operation. it's the biggest - the operation. it's the biggest event in the _ the operation. it's the biggest event in the political - the operation. it's the biggest| event in the political calendar, after_ event in the political calendar, after five — event in the political calendar, after five years upon parliament. the bbc— after five years upon parliament. the bbc will be everywhere. we will be in pretty much all the counts across _ be in pretty much all the counts across the — be in pretty much all the counts across the british isles. we will do with the _ across the british isles. we will do with the leaders and in their constituencies and we will also have a fantastie— constituencies and we will also have a fantastic panel of people giving us analysis and getting to the bottom — us analysis and getting to the bottom of what is going to be a dramatic— bottom of what is going to be a dramatic night if rishi sunak manages to survive and

this programme continues on bbc one.