was the prime minister keir starmer c-ivin - was the prime minister keir starmer giving a _ - was the prime minister keir starmer giving a press _ - was the prime minister keirl starmer giving a press conference answering questions as well from journalists there. he spoke about many things. he started talking about the mandate and vote are specifically talking about a mandate from all four corners. he went on specifically to do a tour of all four nations, going to scotland, wales and some part of northern ireland over the coming days or so. listening to that together with me is lucy fisher, the editor of the financial times, and helen our political correspondent. helen, let me ask you, what were the highlights from the press conference? what did you think where the points that keir starmer really wants to take with us at the end of today? this starmer really wants to take with us at the end of today?— at the end of today? this is an important _ at the end of today? this is an important moment. _ at the end of today? this is an important moment. it's - at the end of today? this is an important moment. it's the i at the end of today? this is an i important moment. it's the first time he has given one of these press conferences. there are a few things he wanted to get across, there are a few things. we talked about standards. we made a point of saying

that he had already spoken to the independent standards adviser, that is about setting the tone of this government. the message that he wants to, as he put it, return to public service. we wanted to reinforce that same he has been in touch with the independent adviser for standard in its first 2a hours. he talked about this tour of the four nations, saying that this is a mandate from all four nations, that is what he wants to govern. he gave us a run through of his diary, he is going to scotland, northern ireland then wales and england. he is also going international next week, i think to nato. then he talked about economic growth being his number—one mission and how he is going to try move more decision—making power is out of westminster to the regions and that devolution method she talked about during the campaign. and he's going to talk to metro mayors on tuesday. he said it was people with skin in the game who knows what's best for their communities. he was re—trying to

reinforce those key points about this is how he is going to govern. what is interesting now, i think, as well as a lot of the questions were, when will we see this change? he didn't really give an answer to that. he was really enforcing this idea that change is going to take time and the answer he gave was that the mindset has changed of government. when we will actually start to see concrete things, he wasn't giving a timescale for that at this point. wasn't giving a timescale for that at this point-— at this point. lucy, interestingly, ou -- at this point. lucy, interestingly, you -- he — at this point. lucy, interestingly, you -- he was — at this point. lucy, interestingly, you -- he was asked _ at this point. lucy, interestingly, you -- he was asked a _ at this point. lucy, interestingly, you -- he was asked a number . at this point. lucy, interestingly, | you -- he was asked a number of you —— he was asked a number of times about the prison minister. just talking about that, he was asked a couple of times about things that had been said in the past about too many prisoners in prisons and other comments that he had made. do you think you answer those questions in a way that will satisfy people. clearly journalists are asking because people are worried. i think it was interesting _ because people are worried. i think it was interesting what _ because people are worried. i think it was interesting what keir - because people are worried. i think| it was interesting what keir starmer said they're singling that he, in his experience as former director of

public prosecutions and often seeing people in the dock and on the conveyor belt of justice, people in the dock and on the conveyor belt ofjustice, perhaps suggesting that there were other upstream interventions that could be introduced in order to stop so many people going to prison but he stopped short of saying that he specifically agreed with the question that was put to him twice which is whether he agreed that there are too many people in prison at present. interestingly, i think his experience as dpp gives experience in this role that could introduce reform that would be difficult for other people to do. he's got to balance that with seeming tough on law and order which was a big point of his election campaign. potentially a vulnerable flag for labour when it comes to the tory attacks. the other question he answered about the nhs and he gave quite an honest answer about the nhs. he did indeed. repeating that verdict from the health secretary wes streeting saying that the nhs is broken. not saying that he held her

responsibility could executive of the health service saying it wasn't about her is about political leadership of the last administration under rishi sunak and tory prime ministers. obviously, he is making this point that big change is making this point that big change is needed. vague reference to his wife who runs occupational health in the health service. that gives more credibility when it comes to reform because his own spouse works in that system. we because his own spouse works in that s stem. ~ ., because his own spouse works in that s stem. ~ . ., , system. we had about where his government _ system. we had about where his government is _ system. we had about where his government is headed _ system. we had about where his government is headed next - system. we had about where his government is headed next and | system. we had about where his i government is headed next and he wasn't giving away too much. i suppose a balancing act is to make it appear that he is working hard, as cabinet that he isn't taking things too quickly.— as cabinet that he isn't taking things too quickly. yes, there is a fine balance _ things too quickly. yes, there is a fine balance to _ things too quickly. yes, there is a fine balance to be _ things too quickly. yes, there is a fine balance to be struck - things too quickly. yes, there is a fine balance to be struck when . things too quickly. yes, there is a fine balance to be struck when he j fine balance to be struck when he comes into government. he talks about being restless for change and part of the challenge when a new government comes in, particularly a change of power like this, is how are we going to put the —— on our

agenda forward? the restlessness to do that without charging ahead and doing all at once. he has got to strike that balance between showing that there is a plan, showing that he is going to make progress and again, he has been explaining actually throughout the campaign thatis actually throughout the campaign that is all about for him first steps. it is about making those first steps that lead to greater change rather than trying to do it all one go. change rather than trying to do it all one go— all one go. lets take a step back and “ust all one go. lets take a step back and just think — all one go. lets take a step back and just think about _ all one go. lets take a step back and just think about the - all one go. lets take a step back and just think about the fact - all one go. lets take a step backj and just think about the fact that he has held this press conference, that he has allowed all these questions to be thrown at him. why has he done that, do you think, at this point, so early in his premiership? he's only been elected in the last 2a hours or so. what is a gain from it do you think? i think he wanted to land some of those missions that hearn has been over about its commitment to the four nations of the united kingdom, hence the quick move to do this tour. also his commitment to devolution and bringing the metro maze and i thought it was important that he made clear that it's not

just leave a mayors and made it clear he is not a tribal politician, anyone can have good ideas —— it will notjust be labour mayors. also about his plans to create mission delivery boards. this is going to be tension quite a significant shape up. this is about introducing new structures in whitehall to break down the silos that exist in departments. many of his missions straddle various departments in order to ensure that he is pushing for those five missions which are growth, breaking down barriers to opportunity, bring nhs on a better footing, getting ge energy going. i think making sure the civil savants listening today's is or pick up. but i think he wanting to politics once you get into downing street you are

easily derailed by everyday events. so keeping on track with this programme for government and not being sidetracked. it programme for government and not being sidetracked.— being sidetracked. it interesting what lucy said _ being sidetracked. it interesting what lucy said that _ being sidetracked. it interesting what lucy said that about - being sidetracked. it interesting what lucy said that about him . what lucy said that about him wanting to listen to mayors and not just labour mayors. he said it on friday as well that he wants to be a prime minister for the people who didn't vote labour, and that the people who voted labour for the first time. , ., people who voted labour for the first time. , . ,., people who voted labour for the first time. , ., ., ., , first time. yes, and part of that is necessity because _ first time. yes, and part of that is necessity because the _ first time. yes, and part of that is necessity because the vote - first time. yes, and part of that is j necessity because the vote share, first time. yes, and part of that is l necessity because the vote share, i think it's 36% overall, it might be slightly more. you will be aware that that was the share of the vote who voted for him. so this, for him, is about trying to bring in the rest of the country, people who might�*ve voted for other parties and show that he is going to run the country for that. that he is going to run the country forthat. i that he is going to run the country for that. i thought it was also really interesting that he was talking about him sharing boards, he was very keen to say that i am going to take responsibility for this, tying it very, very clearly to him personally. tying it very, very clearly to him personally-— tying it very, very clearly to him ersonall . . _ ., ~ ,, personally. helen and lucy thank you ve much personally. helen and lucy thank you very much for— personally. helen and lucy thank you very much for listening _ personally. helen and lucy thank you very much for listening to _ very much for listening to that

press conference and accepting it with me here outside of downing street. let's speak now to a former special adviser. street. let's speak now to a former specialadviser. it's street. let's speak now to a former special adviser. it's good to talk to you. you are actually a former adviser to nicky morgan the conservative minister. it's really good to have you on the programme. tell me, first of all, your thoughts, your synopsis of what you think about the election and where you are now and where headed. obviously the topline story that you have the huge labour majority and that the other end the conservatives reduced to their worst election result since they have been a formal party. i think, just looking at that topline masks a lot of what is going on underneath. british politics was truly shaken up on thursday night. and there is a way of looking at this that says it basically split right across the board, right, left

and centre. as well as those main parties doing well we had that really significant result for the liberal democrats. also a big chunk, around [i liberal democrats. also a big chunk, around 4 million votes for reform uk, vote for the greens who have the highest representation ever in parliament. also the votes for these independents, these so—called guards are independent tests —— gaza independent ys who benefited from frustration on the government's position on palestine. and i think this shows that we will have even more volatile elections in the years to come. did more volatile elections in the years to come. , , ., more volatile elections in the years to come. , _, ., more volatile elections in the years to come. , , ., ., ., to come. did you hear what keir starmer had _ to come. did you hear what keir starmer had to _ to come. did you hear what keir starmer had to say? _ to come. did you hear what keir starmer had to say? what - to come. did you hear what keir starmer had to say? what do i to come. did you hear what keirl starmer had to say? what do you to come. did you hear what keir - starmer had to say? what do you make up starmer had to say? what do you make up the style that he wants to put forward in his premiership and what he wants to move, the idea he wants to give people or at least the message that we are working hard and

that we are going to steady the ship? i that we are going to steady the shi - ? ~ ., that we are going to steady the shi - ? ~ . ., , ., ship? i think what we have seen from keir starmer — ship? i think what we have seen from keir starmer both _ ship? i think what we have seen from keir starmer both in _ ship? i think what we have seen from keir starmer both in that _ ship? i think what we have seen from keir starmer both in that speech - keir starmer both in that speech he gave yesterday but also in that press conference today is that he gets sick, he understands what his mandate was. he recognises that labour have this big majority but on quite a small share of the vote. and if he is going to have his work cut out to deliver on what the public one. if we think about it, this is the third election now where the public have demanded change from the status quo. 2016 in brexit, 2019 and borisjohnson's victory status quo. 2016 in brexit, 2019 and boris johnson's victory and 202a. and patients, i borisjohnson's victory and 202a. and patients, ithink, is running thin. certainly from the focus groups that we do, let it happen that hasn't happened yet. that idea of the government who put service at its heart, he talks about respect and one of the things that we hear is that people often feel disrespected by politicians. tonally

it is important but so too will be delivering on things like the nhs, the cost of living and controlling immigration. the cost of living and controlling immigration-— immigration. let's talk a little about about _ immigration. let's talk a little about about the _ immigration. let's talk a little about about the cabinet - immigration. let's talk a little about about the cabinet he i immigration. let's talk a little | about about the cabinet he has chosen he hasn't taken many chances or risks, i suppose choosing patrick balance a little bit left the field and james timson what do you think of those two being brought in on the way that he is doing things about how he feels cabinet ministers should have experience of. i think we have moved _ should have experience of. i think we have moved on _ should have experience of. i think we have moved on from _ should have experience of. i think we have moved on from the i should have experience of. i think we have moved on from the era i should have experience of. i think| we have moved on from the era of should have experience of. i think- we have moved on from the era of we have had enough of experts. i think it's very clear that keir starmer wants people in roles who really know and understand the briefs that they are managing and why your sore james timpson there and the work that he has done for rear fenders is really significant over a long period. patrick balance is someone who not only knows a staff but has a

lot of public confidence. his new attorney general, someone with a lot of experience there. and also keeping his shadow cabinet in place going into government. i think the challenge will be, can you maintain this approach which is around expertise in trying to do the right thing as he always says, country before party when the reality of day—to—day politics sets? how does he avoid descending into bland democracy and make sure this quieter style of politics that many, many people were welcome is still able to have the sense that it is in control of events and can deal with the day—to—day too? of events and can deal with the day-to-day too?— of events and can deal with the day-to-day too? executive director and former— day-to-day too? executive director and former adviser _ day-to-day too? executive director and former adviser to _ day-to-day too? executive director and former adviser to nicky - day-to-day too? executive director. and former adviser to nicky morgan, it has been so good to talk to you. thank you once again forjoining us. around the world and across the uk,

you are watching bbc news from downing street.

we are going to take a look at some of the other�*s news now. we are heading to the us. joe biden has insisted he is the best person to beat donald trump in november's election despite calls for him to withdraw. in his first tv interview since his debate with mr trump, joe biden dismissed the idea that he should take a cognitive test. here's peter bowes. | mr president, do you want to talk| about your message in wisconsin? can you still beat trump? yes, replied the president as he boarded air force one to rally democratic voters in the state of wisconsin. haunted by his disastrous debate performance against donald trump, joe biden still has to convince many of his supporters that he's fit enough to serve a second term.

the crowd at this campaign rally was enthusiastic enough, but the president felt he had to say it again. what'sjoe going to do? is he going to stay in the race? is he going to drop out? what are you going to do? well, here's my answer. i am running and going to win again. cheering a rousing reception here. but what about the rest of the country? several members of congress, including one democratic senator, have called for the president to pull out of the race. shortly after the rally, mr biden sat down for an exclusive interview with abc news george stephanopoulos, who pressed the president on what had gone wrong during the debate, why he'd been so exhausted. because i was sick. i was feeling terrible. matter of fact, the docs with me, i asked them they did a covid test because they were trying to figure out what was wrong. they did a test to see whether or not i had some infection, you know, a virus. i didn't, ijust had a really bad cold.

and did you ever watch the debate afterwards? i don't think i did, no. the president was asked whether he'd take a cognitive test and release the results to the american people. he said it wasn't necessary. i have a cognitive test every single day. every day i have that test. everything i do. you know, not only am i campaigning, but i'm running the world. and that's not how... it sounds like hyperbole. but we are the central nation in the world. madeleine albright was right. and every single day. for example, today, before i come out here, i'm on the phone with the prime minister of... i know i shouldn't give the detail, but with netanyahu, i'm on the phone with the new prime minister of england. mr biden cast doubt on the opinion polls that suggest he's trailing behind donald trump. he said he didn't think anyone was more qualified or better than him to win the race. but this interview is unlikely to silence the president's democratic critics, who want him

to call it a day. peter bowes, bbc news. a florida congresswoman and democrat stephanie murphy says the party needs to focus on what the public wants. ., , needs to focus on what the public wants. . , ., , ., wants. nearly three quarters of the american people — wants. nearly three quarters of the american people do _ wants. nearly three quarters of the american people do not _ wants. nearly three quarters of the american people do not believe i wants. nearly three quarters of the | american people do not believe that he has the mental ability or physical ability to be president for the next four years. so i think that that's the reality that the white house has to grapple with. and quite honestly, numbers of congress are grappling with that in the ramifications it has, notjust for the presidential race but also for the presidential race but also for the other races in the senate in the house. so i always find that it's more than broad public sentiment, they do it at their own political peril. fit, they do it at their own political eril. �* ., ., , peril. a former illinois congresswoman i peril. a former illinois l congresswoman doesn't peril. a former illinois - congresswoman doesn't believe peril. a former illinois _ congresswoman doesn't believe joe congresswoman doesn't believejoe biden is the same person he once was. , ., �* . biden is the same person he once was. . ., i ., ., biden is the same person he once was. , ., �* ., ., ., ., was. joe biden and the team around joe biden thinks _ was. joe biden and the team around joe biden thinks that _ was. joe biden and the team around joe biden thinks that he _ was. joe biden and the team around joe biden thinks that he is _ was. joe biden and the team around joe biden thinks that he is the i joe biden thinks that he is the only person— joe biden thinks that he is the only person who can defeat donald trump

again _ person who can defeat donald trump again i_ person who can defeat donald trump again. i don't believe that is true. ithink_ again. i don't believe that is true. i think the — again. i don't believe that is true. i think the rest of the world has finally— i think the rest of the world has finally seen what many republicans have been— finally seen what many republicans have been talking about for a few years _ have been talking about for a few years now — have been talking about for a few years now. the prize and biden is just _ years now. the prize and biden is just is— years now. the prize and biden is just is not— years now. the prize and biden is just... is not the same joe biden that i_ just... is not the same joe biden that i met — just... is not the same joe biden that i met back in 2015. this is a different person. obviously, the world _ different person. obviously, the world witness that he was not up to the task— world witness that he was not up to the task in— world witness that he was not up to the task in a — world witness that he was not up to the task in a debate and what scares me most— the task in a debate and what scares me most about national security here in the _ me most about national security here in the united states is that we have a president, the majority of americans don't feel it is in charge right— americans don't feel it is in charge right now — in iran, the reformist candidate — masoud pezeshkian — has been elected president, beating his hardline conservative rival saeed jalili by nearly three million votes. speaking after the result was announced, he said he would extend his hand to all iranians. the run—off was forced because no candidate secured a majority in the first round of the election on 28june, which saw a historically low

voter turnout of a0%. the election was called because president ebrahim raisi was killed in a helicopter crash in may. siavash ardalan from bbc persian put the election win into an international context. it's a huge political upset for iran, having another moderate president back in office now, three years after you've had a very conservative president who died in that helicopter crash which prompted this election. the significance of it internationally is the fact that he wants to strike a fresh nuclear deal with the west, to have those sanctions removed — that's one of his campaign promises, unlike the hard—line candidate who said that he doesn't want anything to do with the west, he doesn't want any more engagements, if anything he wants further concessions from the west. whereas masoud pezeshkian said, look, these sanctions have devastated our economy, without having these sanctions removed we can't get back on track, and he promised to do everything he can through consensus, which presumably means convincing the supreme leader to get back on board in another effort to strike a deal.

interesting, so potentially big implications on the international stage. tell us about the man, the background and who he is. he is a heart surgeon, he is a loyalist, after all, he is not some kind of regime critic. he believes, through what he promised in the campaign, that he tries to get through his policies without confrontation, these factional politics, which has always bogged down iran in terms of advancing economic or social policy. he's been a speaker of parliament before, he has a good performance record in terms of proving his credentials, he served in the iran—iraq war, so he's a veteran in that sense as well, and he was as much.as close to the conservative camp as well, and he was as much...

as close to the conservative camp as you can get among these reformer politicians you have in iran. so, remind us briefly about the protests on the streets. remind us where we are in iran right now. two years after the nationwide protests over the death of mahsa amini, the woman, life, freedom movement that became renowned globally, this was because of the morality police in iran, a very notorious organisation that tries to enforce mandatory hijab, it became a huge issue of contention in iran. masoud pezeshkian has called the morality police immoral, he has promised to try to stop them from enforcing mandatory hijab, though hasn't gone as far as questioning the law of mandatory hijab itself, but what his promise and what a lot of people are hoping is that those people who have turned completely against the regime because of its brutal

repression of protesters, because its restrictive social policies, that he may draw them also into the fore. during his campaign he said, i heard your message, the message of not voting, because we had a 40% turnout in the first round of elections, that was a huge act of civil disobedience and defiance against the regime, so during his presidential debates he said, i heard your message and i will do everything i can to bring you back to the fore, and reconciliate the regime with its critics. next to france. the second round of parliamentary elections are concerned about violence over the weekend with 30,000 police being deployed. more than 50 candidates and campaign activates have been physically assaulted during campaign. the far right national rally made big gains in the first round of the election

winning 33.4% of the vote. some opinion polls gave them a chance of winning an outright majority in the national assembly. 217 candidates from the left—wing new popular front and the macron/ensemble alliance have withdrawn from sunday's vote to block the national rally from winning. on friday, about 200 people protested against the extreme right at place de la victoire in bordeaux. in the european football championship — england face switzerland and the netherlands face turkey today in the last quarter final matches. in one of the first acts in his new role, prime minister keir starmer has shown his support for england, raising the cross of st george above downing street — hours before their knock—out match. france are through to the semi—finals. they beat portugal 5—3 on penalties. the hosts, germany,

were knocked out — beaten 2—1 by spain after extra time. our sport correspondentjohn watson assesses england's chances of progressing to the semi finals. i think there is no doubt that england and their manager gareth southgate would have taken his drawer before the tournament, switzerland in the quarterfinals. especially when you consider that germany and portugal have already gone out at the quarterfinal stage against tougher opponents. we had against tougher opponents. we had against gareth southgate that he is very keen to guard against any sense of entitlement that england will win should win because switzerland are considered to be lesser opponents. they did knock out the holders italy and let's not forget they have been impressive in this tournament so far. it will be fascinating to see with a change of personnel and a possible change in formation later to come. whether or not that delivers the improved performance that these england supporters, who have gathered here in dusseldorf for the kick—off tonight, are hoping for. thank you to john thank you tojohn for thank you to john for that. thank you tojohn for that. not long to wait. just thank you to john for that. not long

to wait. just three hours thank you tojohn for that. not long to wait. just three hours or so before kick off on that england game. the prime minister will probably be watching that here in the uk. we will have plenty more coverage from downing street for the rest of the day. this is bbc news. hello there. we've seen a developing area of pressure developing over the last 2a hours. one of two spots to be very wet indeed. the next weekend promises to be... this is developing area of low pressure i was talking about moving off into the north sea gradually as we move through the course of the afternoon. it will be a strong westerly winds behind it with further showers. westerly winds behind it with furthershowers. i westerly winds behind it with further showers. i think later in the day we should see the heaviest of the rain move offshore and then we will see sunshine and showers for many areas. turning a bit dry for parts of north—west england in the

midlands and wales through the afternoon. if you catch a shower, it could be quite heavy particularly across southern areas. with these wind speeds, gus will be stronger and it will be blustery across southern and eastern areas. will i lighter winds further north and west. disappointing temperatures for this point injuly. so the rainbow clear to showers later today. for wimbledon, some of them could be heavy. same again on sunday, similar values. sunshine and showers and the odd thunder moving through. showers begin to ease first century and eastern areas this evening but further showers will start to push into southern and western areas during the early hours. temperatures under early hours in single digits. we will have a more breeze and showers at ten to 12 celsius. sunday we start with more sunshine than what we had this morning. the showers will get going into the

afternoon. some of them heavy and thundery in places. the wind is a little bit lighter on sunday. if you are out of those showers and in the sunshine it should feel a little better, maybe 19 celsius. monday, the stage is pretty decent, we are in between weather systems. tuesday and wednesday we see another area of low pressure move across the country to bring wet and windy weather. look at this, high pressure starts to topple and later in the week and that could bring some very welcome dry and sunny weather to the end of week and to the following weekend. it could last for a while but the to then looks unsettled thanks to further areas of low pressure with disappointing temperatures.

live from downing street, this is bbc news. keir starmer hold his first news conference as prime minister, saying tough decisions need

to be made soon. it isa it is a mandate notjust to govern, although it is certainly that, but it is a mandate that has put trust in us to change the country and to deliver. earlier, starmer held his initial cabinet meeting, saying to his his top team they have "a huge amount of work to do". more junior ministers are expected to be appointed in the coming hours. we'll bring you all the latest from downing street as it happens. i'm samantha simmonds. the other main stories this hour... iam going i am going to wind again! president biden says only the lord almighty could convince him to end his bid for re—election. reformist masoud pezeshkian is elected iran's new president. he beat his hardline rival in a run—off vote. and fans are ecstatic as france make it through to the semi—finals in the european football championships, beating portugal on penalties.