live from london, this is bbc news. the reform uk leader nigel farage holds a rally after a scandal leading to three candidates being trapped. the uk prime minister has been speaking to the bbc, defending fourteen years of conservative rule ahead of this week's election. meanwhile, laboursays the country isn't going back to freedom of movement with the eu, if they're elected. police in tenerife confirm that the search for missing british teenagerjay slater has been called off after nearly two weeks. voting is under way in the first round of france's parliamentary elections —— this is the scene live

england takes on slovakia. hello. we start here in the uk. with just five days to go before the general election, the leader of the reform uk party, nigel farage, has given a rally in birmingham. after a racism row embroiled his party in scandal. the prime minister rishi sunak described the incident as racist and inappropriate. speaking in front of 4,000 people, mr farage told crowds he felt compelled to come back to politics as an alternative to whom he called slippery sunak and sir keir starmer. mr farage also said he felt that the uk was in cultural decline. that aside, with a country that's in economic decline. and think about this. gdp per capita has fallen for the last six consecutive quarters.

people are getting poorer. and i couldn't stand aside. in a country that is in genuine societal decline, safety, people fearful of going out at night, people scared to even go out to their local pub, knives being carried wholesale by young people in our country. so we are, i have no doubt, in societal decline, and i couldn't stand aside in a country that is in cultural decline. nigel five raj from reform uk. —— farage. we've also heard from liberal democrat leader ed davey in stratford—upon—avon. he says people have been let down by the conservative government. just four days�* time, we can win the change our country so desperately needs. for far too long, people here in stratford and across the united kingdom have

been taken for granted and let down by an out—of—touch conservative government. people have been working hard, bringing up theirfamilies, looking after their loved ones, playing by the rules. but they're finding it harder and harder to make ends meet. families and pensioners have been hit by skyrocketing energy bills, by food bills, by mortgages and rents all going up. and the conservatives have just made it worse. and they've not delivered on their promises to build those hospitals for our nhs. 0ur nhs is on its knees. people are worried that their loved ones are having to wait hours for an ambulance, weeks to see a gp, months to get urgent cancer treatment. and people are angry. the lib dems reader ed davey speaking. meanwhile, rishi sunak has defended the conservatives�* iii—year record in government. the prime minister said the country was now on the right track. he told the bbc�*s laura kuenssberg,

the last few years had been difficult, but the uk was now a better place to live in than in 2010. of course i understand that the last few years have been difficult for everyone. we had a once in a century pandemic followed by a war in ukraine that drove up everyone�*s bills and, of course, that has been difficult for everybody. but we've also made progress in tackling those things. inflation is back to normal, the economy growing again, wages rising, energy bills set to fall again just next week and now we are able to start cutting people's taxes to give them financial security. so, yes, of course it has been difficult, but we are now on the right track with the prospect of more tax cuts to come to give people more financial security and that is the key choice for people in this election, building on the progress that we have made. rishi sunak speaking a little earlier. meanwhile pat mcfadden has defended the labour party's manifesto commitments to defence. first of all, the last time defence spending was at 2.5% of gdp was when labour was in power. the conservatives have been in for 14 years and have had 14 years to reach that figure and have never done so.

now they say they want to do it. we actually said before they said that that we wanted to do it but there is another point about this too, which is like everything, we want to show financial responsibility about this and make sure that we can pay for it. and i think one of the features of this campaign, which we have had some criticism for from some quarters, has shown a significantly greater degree of financial responsibility than the conservatives. labour's pat fallon. —— mcfadden. the westminster leader of the scottish national party also joined laura kuensberg. he defended the party's spending commitments despite criticism from the ifs. when looking at this general election, there is that conspiracy... £80 billion worth of public sector cuts which are agreed by both the labour party and the conservative party. it is a choice that they are making at this election.

we, of course, oppose that. we believe that there should be investment in our nhs and public services. we have to get away from this race to the bottom on austerity that exists in westminster. it does not work. it has broken the fabric of society over the past 14 years. why keir starmer would want to continue with that knowing the damage it has caused is beyond me. that's why we need scottish national party mps in westminster putting scotland's interests first. harry farley has more. one of the biggest rallies i think we've seen in this election. it's been quite interesting that most of the parties have gone for quite stage managed kind of events that we've seen in the campaign so far. nigel farage, speaking at a big rally in birmingham, promising his party will be the voice of opposition, or the real voice of opposition, in his words. and he said that thursday, the polling day on thursday would just be the start of what he wants to build as a mass movement. he described a mass movement across the uk and, as you say, criticising both the conservatives and labour. i think what will be interesting to watch out for on thursday, though,

is not only how many seats reform win, but how many votes they get because they're not expected to win many seats across the westminster election. but it'll be interesting to see what proportion of the vote they get. and nigel farage, as he says, hoping that they will not not only win some seats but also, uh, show that they can be a real political force in years to come. and at this stage, with just days to go, how much of a difference do you think their last minute campaigning will make on those undecided voters? well, there are, as you say, there are several millions of people, according to the pollsters who are still undecided. and that's both a challenge and an opportunity for the political parties, labour in particular. you get a sense that they are nervous about those undecided voters. they have, as we've seen across multiple polls, apparently got this big lead. but they are worried about those people who have yet to make up their mind and also worried about people who think, well, the result is a foregone conclusion, so they don't need to vote. their message over the next few days

is if you want change, you have to vote for it. and they suit rishi sunak on the counter, i suppose, to that, warning about the prospect of a labour government and particularly a labour government with a large majority, and he's been making his central pitch for tax cuts. we have heard a few key issues mentioned by the leaders there. ed davey, for example, mentioning earlier, sewage in the waters. is there a sense of what is the most driving issue for voters? i mean, cost of living has been one. is that the key one still? well, as you say, cost of living is one. there are multiple. i suppose there is not one issue that has defined this election in many ways. liberal democrats want to emphasise sewage. they're also talking about the nhs and social care, uh, labourtalking generally about change but also economic growth. rishi sunak and the conservatives talking about tax cuts and the scottish national party talking about independence, and also what they see as a westminster consensus that they want to break free of. so each of the parties want to emphasise different concerns that they think that they are particularly strong about.

and one of the interesting things in the last few days of the campaign that you see is it's as much about repeating your core message, but it's also about persuading your voters, people who are already convinced by your message, to actually remember to go to the polls and vote. it's as much about getting your vote out as it were, as it is about changing minds. de bbc news live page has more. you can no de bbc news live page has more. you can go online — de bbc news live page has more. you can go online for expert analysis and a picture gallery of the final. go to the app or website. the bbc has seen and heard evidence that israeli troops in the occupied west bank carried injured palestinian men on the bonnet of a military jeep at least three times during an operation injenin earlier this month. it follows a video that emerged last week showing one of the men, mujahid abadi balas, being driven on the front of the car, sparking international concern. the bbc has now spoken to two more people who say the same thing happened to them, as our middle east correspondnt lucy williamson reports from jenin.

mujahid abadi balas's interactions with the israeli army is seen all over his body. he told me not to hold on, they said. i didn't expect to survive. video of hisjourney said. i didn't expect to survive. video of his journey caused international outrage. but he was not the only one. samir, hit in the back during a military raid, was stripped of his trousers and thrown onto the bonnet. this video appears to show him half naked on the same armyjeep. both were shot here in

janine as the israeli forces came to arrest a wanted man. he was still riddled with sniper bullets. translation: i riddled with sniper bullets. translation:— riddled with sniper bullets. translation: ., , , ., translation: i tried to put my hand on the jeep. — translation: i tried to put my hand on the jeep. i — translation: i tried to put my hand on the jeep, i couldn't. _ translation: i tried to put my hand on the jeep, i couldn't. it _ translation: i tried to put my hand on the jeep, i couldn't. it was - translation: i tried to put my hand on the jeep, i couldn't. it was very i on the jeep, i couldn't. it was very hot. they forced me, saying that i should get onto it if i didn't want to die. , . �* , should get onto it if i didn't want todie. , should get onto it if i didn't want todie. �*m _._ should get onto it if i didn't want todie. �*m , . should get onto it if i didn't want todie. . , to die. israel's army says that this case violates _ to die. israel's army says that this case violates procedures - to die. israel's army says that this case violates procedures and - to die. israel's army says that this case violates procedures and will i case violates procedures and will be investigated. it says that the incidents are under review. janine has been a target for israeli raids since the october at seventh attacks. armed men still control the

camps. translation: ~ . , . camps. translation: . ~ , translation: what the israeli army doesnt translation: what the israeli army doesn't know— translation: what the israeli army doesn't know is _ translation: what the israeli army doesn't know is that _ translation: what the israeli army doesn't know is that the _ translation: what the israeli army doesn't know is that the resistance i doesn't know is that the resistance is unstoppable. if palestinians get killed, five more will replace him. during an israeli operation this week, barnes buried deep in the roads killed one soldier and injured six others. . this started way before the war. this is different territory to gaza but it is the same adversaries and the same work. the un says conditions for palestinians in the northern gaza strip are unbearable following a flare—up in fighting in the eastern shujaiya neighbourhood. the israeli military has been fighting hamas for three days with warplanes, tanks and drones. residents speak of bodies on the streets and more buildings

demolished. the new offensive near gaza city comes several months after israel said it had dismantled hamas operatives in the north of the beseiged territory. tens of thousands of residents have been forced to flee. gaza's health ministry says more than 37,760 people have been killed in gaza since the conflict began in october. you are watching bbc news. england's footballers take on slovakia this evening in their first knockout match at the european championships in germany. whoever wins that match will play switzerland england's footballers take on slovakia this evening who've caused a major upset by knocking out the defending champions, italy, 2—0 in berlin. let's speak to our correspondent sarah rainsford. what is the atmosphere like? this is the city centre _ what is the atmosphere like? this is the city centre and _ what is the atmosphere like? this is the city centre and the _ what is the atmosphere like? this is the city centre and the gathering - the city centre and the gathering point for the fans ahead of the match. many have headed up to the

stadium that way. there has been a good atmosphere for the last couple of hours, with loud music pumping out from the stage. many favourites like world in motion. everyone is talking about it being great. there are a few offensive birmingham for the game. have you been following the game. have you been following the tournament?— the game. have you been following the tournament? yes. the know what ou think the tournament? yes. the know what you think of — the tournament? yes. the know what you think of this _ the tournament? yes. the know what you think of this game? _ the tournament? yes. the know what you think of this game? i _ the tournament? yes. the know what you think of this game? i think - the tournament? yes. the know what you think of this game? i think 1-0. l you think of this game? i think 1—0. they— they sing thank you. have a good game. that is showing this positive and optimistic

atmosphere. there has been a lot of criticism of the team before this match as many had told me, but the fancier our eternal optimists. 0ne fancier our eternal optimists. 0ne fan had the words, it's coming home. expletive excuse me. 0ptimistic, optimistic as you can tell. they are being allowed full strength alcohol at the stadium as you can tell because apparently they have been well behaved so far. we apologise for that language. now let's see the rest of the sports news. , , , ., let's see the rest of the sports news. ,, ,. news. yes, plenty of optimistic en . land news. yes, plenty of optimistic england fans — news. yes, plenty of optimistic england fans because - news. yes, plenty of optimistic england fans because we - news. yes, plenty of optimistic england fans because we will. news. yes, plenty of optimistic i england fans because we will find out two more of the euro 2024

finalist. they are looking to reach the last stage although they have been pretty underwhelming so far. they are facing calls to freshen up their starting line—up. indie they are facing calls to freshen up their starting line-up.— their starting line-up. we are mindful that _ their starting line-up. we are mindful that people - their starting line-up. we are mindful that people are - their starting line-up. we are i mindful that people are pushing their starting line-up. we are - mindful that people are pushing for places _ mindful that people are pushing for places. we need that strength. the squad _ places. we need that strength. the squad are _ places. we need that strength. the squad are very together and training well. squad are very together and training welt we _ squad are very together and training well. we are pushing the starting team _ well. we are pushing the starting team that — well. we are pushing the starting team that has been in place but the other_ team that has been in place but the other players must be ready because we may— other players must be ready because we may need five or six changes. that_ we may need five or six changes. that is— we may need five or six changes. that is really, really important. for us, — that is really, really important. for us, it — that is really, really important. for us, it is _ that is really, really important. for us, it is important that they play— for us, it is important that they play to— for us, it is important that they play to their best ability. georgia takes on one _ play to their best ability. georgia takes on one of— play to their best ability. georgia takes on one of the _ play to their best ability. georgia takes on one of the favourites, l takes on one of the favourites, spain. georgia have already beaten the odds in reaching this stage. now

they are up against the team who beat them 7—1 to seven months ago. we had difficulties. that was a part of our journey. we had difficulties. that was a part of ourjourney. we had some better moments. i'm sure the 7—1 did teach us a lot of things and we learned a lot of things from it. translation: i lot of things from it. translation: ~ ,., translation: i think we both improved- _ translation: i think we both improved. georgia _ translation: i think we both improved. georgia has - translation: | think we both - improved. georgia has demonstrated it. it improved. georgia has demonstrated it it was _ improved. georgia has demonstrated it. it was that game. they are here because _ it. it was that game. they are here because it — it. it was that game. they are here because it is — it. it was that game. they are here because it is a learning curve, right? — because it is a learning curve, right? they had theirs, we had ours. so it is— right? they had theirs, we had ours. so it is going — right? they had theirs, we had ours. so it is going to be a totally different game than the previous game _ different game than the previous game in — different game than the previous game in the qualification stage. canada — game in the qualification stage. canada has reached the reached the

copa america. canada has said that there is still more to come from his side. . , side. i am en'oying being their coach. i side. i am en'oying being their coach i am — side. i am enjoying being their coach. i am very _ side. i am enjoying being their coach. i am very proud - side. i am enjoying being their coach. i am very proud of - side. i am enjoying being their coach. i am very proud of this| coach. i am very proud of this accomplishment, but again, we are not satisfied. we are looking for it and we are going to go to the game on friday as well. the and we are going to go to the game on friday as well.— on friday as well. the belarusian blanca is unsure _ on friday as well. the belarusian blanca is unsure if _ on friday as well. the belarusian blanca is unsure if she _ on friday as well. the belarusian blanca is unsure if she can - on friday as well. the belarusian - blanca is unsure if she can overcome a shoulder injury. i blanca is unsure if she can overcome a shoulder injury.— a shoulder in'ury. i am unsure ifi am able to — a shoulder injury. i am unsure ifi am able to play _ a shoulder injury. i am unsure ifi am able to play my _ a shoulder injury. i am unsure ifi am able to play my first - a shoulder injury. i am unsure ifi am able to play my first match i a shoulder injury. i am unsure if i i am able to play my first match here which is frustrating. i haven't had a serious injury in years and the

struggles i am going through now is a lot. i would say that the past month has been challenging for me. aha, month has been challenging for me. a man who has no doubts about his fitness is carlos alcaraz. he will play estonia on monday. to fitness is carlos alcaraz. he will play estonia on monday.- fitness is carlos alcaraz. he will play estonia on monday. to be on the centre court — play estonia on monday. to be on the centre court once _ play estonia on monday. to be on the centre court once again makes - play estonia on monday. to be on the centre court once again makes me i centre court once again makes me feel the _ centre court once again makes me feel the nerves again. obviously, more _ feel the nerves again. obviously, more relaxed than the matters that i played _ more relaxed than the matters that i played last _ more relaxed than the matters that i played last year but it was nerve—racking as well. played last year but it was nerve-racking as well. that is all we had time _ nerve-racking as well. that is all we had time for. _ nerve-racking as well. that is all we had time for. if _ nerve-racking as well. that is all we had time for. if you _ nerve-racking as well. that is all we had time for. if you want - nerve-racking as well. that is all we had time for. if you want to l we had time for. if you want to follow the austrian grand prix see the bbc website.

the french politicians are now casting their ballots in the french election. nowjordan bardella is seen as a protege to marine le pen's party. it is unclear as to whether they would have a full majority. this has thrown french politics into disarray. let your more. it this has thrown french politics into disarray. let your more.— this has thrown french politics into disarray. let your more. it has been a busy morning _ disarray. let your more. it has been a busy morning of— disarray. let your more. it has been a busy morning of voting _ disarray. let your more. it has been a busy morning of voting here - disarray. let your more. it has been a busy morning of voting here in - a busy morning of voting here in paris. this is replicated right across the country because the turnout is up from the last election in 2022. we just had figures that showed that 26% of voters are out which is higher than 2022. we will see who that benefits. possibly the

far right national party. this is a party that has tried to detoxify its image but has been for policies to abolish birth rate, so if you are born as a foreigner you will no longer get french citizenship. this would give benefits for french over immigrants which is highly contentious. but the national rally is highly opinion polls and possibly will hold government here since the first time since the second world war. this will happen if no candidate gets above the 50%. we brought together people who are not going to vote for this party. you are going to stick with emmanuel macron's centrist coalition. this is

a gamble. has and it fell before? i don't think that it has failed. i think— don't think that it has failed. i think we — don't think that it has failed. i think we are going to see tonight. i don't _ think we are going to see tonight. i don't think— think we are going to see tonight. i don't think he had any choice anyway~ _ don't think he had any choice an a . ~ g don't think he had any choice anyway.- because - don't think he had any choice anyway.- because it - don't think he had any choice | anyway.- because it was don't think he had any choice anyway. why? because it was going to be complicated — anyway. why? because it was going to be complicated in _ anyway. ii because it was going to be complicated in december because there are _ be complicated in december because there are so many fights in the parliament already so it was his shot— parliament already so it was his shot to — parliament already so it was his shot to dissolve now that neck you can lose a — shot to dissolve now that neck you can lose a lot _ shot to dissolve now that neck you can lose a lot of— shot to dissolve now that neck gm. can lose a lot of mps in the selection, of course. you are voting for the new national front. selection, of course. you are voting for the new nationalfront. this is an un—easy collision. do you think they can come together? i an un-easy collision. do you think they can come together?- an un-easy collision. do you think they can come together? i think they have a lot of — they can come together? i think they have a lot of values _ they can come together? i think they have a lot of values in _ they can come together? i think they have a lot of values in common - they can come together? i think they have a lot of values in common and i | have a lot of values in common and i think— have a lot of values in common and i think that _ have a lot of values in common and i think that they— have a lot of values in common and i think that they showed _ have a lot of values in common and i think that they showed us _ have a lot of values in common and i think that they showed us in - have a lot of values in common and i think that they showed us in the - think that they showed us in the last two— think that they showed us in the last two weeks _ think that they showed us in the last two weeks that _ think that they showed us in the last two weeks that they- think that they showed us in the last two weeks that they can - think that they showed us in the last two weeks that they can do| think that they showed us in the. last two weeks that they can do a coalition— last two weeks that they can do a coalition in— last two weeks that they can do a coalition in a _ last two weeks that they can do a coalition in a very _ last two weeks that they can do a coalition in a very short _ last two weeks that they can do a coalition in a very short time. - last two weeks that they can do a coalition in a very short time. sol last two weeks that they can do a | coalition in a very short time. sol think— coalition in a very short time. sol think that — coalition in a very short time. sol think that shows... _

coalition in a very short time. sol think that shows... you _ coalition in a very short time. so i think that shows. . ._ coalition in a very short time. so i think that shows. .. you have many different parties _ think that shows. .. you have many different parties that _ think that shows. .. you have many different parties that some - different parties that some economists say would bankrupt france in terms of social welfare that they are promising. i in terms of social welfare that they are promising-— are promising. i think the rise of racism and _ are promising. i think the rise of racism and fascism _ are promising. i think the rise of racism and fascism is _ are promising. i think the rise of racism and fascism is the - are promising. i think the rise of. racism and fascism is the greatest threat _ racism and fascism is the greatest threat of— racism and fascism is the greatest threat of democracy. _ racism and fascism is the greatest threat of democracy. so _ racism and fascism is the greatest threat of democracy. so i- racism and fascism is the greatest threat of democracy. so i think . racism and fascism is the greatestl threat of democracy. so i think the real gamble — threat of democracy. so i think the real gamble for _ threat of democracy. so i think the real gamble for macron_ threat of democracy. so i think the real gamble for macron was - threat of democracy. so i think the real gamble for macron was to - threat of democracy. so i think the real gamble for macron was to letl real gamble for macron was to let the fascism — real gamble for macron was to let the fascism rise _ real gamble for macron was to let the fascism rise and _ real gamble for macron was to let the fascism rise and i— real gamble for macron was to let the fascism rise and i think- the fascism rise and i think the left responded _ the fascism rise and i think the left responded well— the fascism rise and i think the left responded well to - the fascism rise and i think the left responded well to the - the fascism rise and i think the - left responded well to the scandal. back that _ left responded well to the scandal. back that was _ left responded well to the scandal. back that was our _ left responded well to the scandal. back that was our correspondent i back that was our correspondent speaking — back that was our correspondent speaking to— back that was our correspondent speaking to voters _ back that was our correspondent speaking to voters in _ back that was our correspondent speaking to voters in paris. - back that was our correspondentj speaking to voters in paris. here back that was our correspondent speaking to voters in paris. here i seems to lose _ speaking to voters in paris. here i seems to lose at _ speaking to voters in paris. here i seems to lose at voting _ speaking to voters in paris. here i seems to lose at voting polls - seems to lose at voting polls there. you can see voters either. —— told loose. this is the highest voter turnout in 40 years. it has been higher than expected. we hear reports that it was 26% which is

said to be the highest in more than 40 years. as we were saying and as you heard our correspondent saying, this is very much an election where the far right is expected to make gains after president manuel macron made a decision to hold a snap election. he did say at the time that he heard the message of french voters after the far right rally won the election. that is what motivated him to make the announcement. it was a surprise to many and through the country into turmoil as we were saying earlier. of course, you can follow the story as it develops and the votes come in and the story continues. there is a live page on the bbc news website. you can see it there. just go on the bbc news website to follow developments over the next few hours.

the spanish civil guard has called off the search for the missing british teeenager jay slater. the 19—year—old from lancashire has been missing in tenerife since i7june, after he told a friend he was lost in the mountains. police carried out a new search on saturday with the help of dozens of emergency workers near the village of masca, in the rural de teno national park. a landslide in southeastern switzerland has now known to have killed seven people. the landslide in the maggia valley in the canton of ticino was caused by heavy rainfall. flooding has also affected other parts of switzerland leading to road closures. local officials have called on people to leave buildings near rivers and move to higher ground. you can go to the bbc news website to follow a live page on the developments in the french election and all the other stories we have been covering today. stay with us here and bbc news.

pa rt part two of the weekend looking cloudier. temperatures of 25 degrees across the south of england yesterday. looking more like 20 or 21 today. this is how the week is shaping up. most of the rain will be in the north and west of the country. rather cool through this time of year. this ridge of high pressure has a bit of dry weather around this morning. a few splashes of rain. this cloud may be thick enough. when of rain. this cloud may be thick when sunshine in the south and south—west of england. there will be

highs of 20 and 21 degrees. for most, mid to high teens. spots of rain fade away and a dry spell. i knew whether front will bring figure cloud and outbreaks of rain. temperatures around 12 degrees here. we could see some single—digit temperatures. 0n we could see some single—digit temperatures. on monday, we have this whether front crossing the country. in the south, there won't be much in terms of rain. it will be mostly dry. as we start with some sunshine, most rain will be in scotland and northern england and push up into the north sea. because of a lack of sunshine, temperatures will be disappointing — 20,201 degrees. monday is the first day of wimbledon and there is potential spots of rain but more chances of staying right onto tuesday, low 20s.

there will be lots of sunshine for england and wales. cloud to build up in the afternoon. this westerly breeze will push into scotland and bring a bit of wetness. temperatures will be from 14 to 21 degrees. most rain will be an northern and western areas with better chances of escaping the rain in the south. will be cool by night.

this is bbc news, the headlines. reform uk leader nigel farage holds a rally in birmingham — days after the party was embroiled in a racism scandal, which led to three candidates being dropped. he told 4,000 supporters that he felt compelled to "come out of retirement". police in tenerife confirm that the search for missing british voting is underway in the first round of france's parliamentary elections. support for the far—right national rally party has surged since they won the european elections three weeks ago. police in tenerife confirm that the search for missing british teenagerjay slater has been called off after nearly two weeks. police on the island told the bbc that �*yesterday was the final day of the search'. and england take on slovakia — in their first knockout match at the european football championships in germany.