should have been a children's it should have been a children's party having fun at the beginning of the summer holidays, that could turn into something so devastating. fix, into something so devastating. a heartbroken community in southport has been laying flowers and teddy bears in an outpouring of grief. i'm outside alder hey hospital where sadly that nine—year—old girl lost her fight for life this morning, despite the best effort of medics here. the suspect being held on suspicion of murder and attempted murder is 17 years old. he was born in cardiff and his parents had moved to the uk from rwanda. also on the programme: the chancellor has defended her decision to scrap winter fuel payments for around ten million pensioners. and sewage in the seine delays the men's olympic triathlon in paris. and coming up on bbc news... england men's white ball head coach, matthew mott, has stepped down

following england's exit at the semi—finals of the world cup. marcus trescothick will take temporary charge. good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. in the last hour merseyside police have confirmed a third girl has died from her injuries after the multiple stabbings in southport yesterday. the attack on a summer holiday dance workshop has left five children and two adults and a critical condition. a 17—year—old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. he cannot be named because of his age but the bbc can report he was born in cardiff to rwandan parents had moved to the southport area 11 years ago. this morning the home secretary visited the seaside

town. yvette cooper was visibly moved as she laid flowers at the scene. the pop star taylor swift, his music inspired the dance class has released a tribute on social media calling what she called the horrendous trauma inflicted. places of worship in southport are staying open so the community can come together and support one another. with the latest, here's our reporter, frances read. quietly paying respects. the home secretary among those who have been there today, a moment's tours in a community which may never be able to understand why. it has been confirmed a third child has died, a nine—year—old girl in addition to two girls aged six and seven. eight of the children suffered stab wounds, five of them are critically ill. two adults are also in a critical condition. the horror unfolded at what was supposed to be

a fun taylor swift themed holiday workshop for primary schoolchildren. yoga, dancing, bracelet making in what is usually a safe space, a haven for pregnant women or a baby and children's classes take place. it is just unimaginable what has happened. it is devastating and horrific attack. all of our thoughts will be with the families who have been affected, loved ones who have children who are injured and it is important they get all the support they need. the important they get all the support the need. �* �* , ., , they need. the bbc understands leanne lucas — they need. the bbc understands leanne lucas is _ they need. the bbc understands leanne lucas is among - they need. the bbc understands leanne lucas is among those - leanne lucas is among those attacked. the teacher running a holiday workshop yesterday. she has been praised for her bravery although her condition has not been confirmed by authorities. in a statement on instagram, taylor swift said the horror of yesterday's attack is washing over me continuously and i am completely in shock. these were just little continuously and i am completely in shock. these werejust little kids at a dance class and i am at a

complete loss as to ever to convey my condolences to these families. the community here feels the same. it is just so heartbreaking. you know, the poor parents. it isjust so heartbreaking. you know, the poor parents. children should be able _ know, the poor parents. children should be able to _ know, the poor parents. children should be able to enjoy - know, the poor parents. children should be able to enjoy their - know, the poor parents. children - should be able to enjoy their summer holidays, _ should be able to enjoy their summer holidays, and the beginning of it, this tragedy has happened and it is 'ust this tragedy has happened and it is just sow _ this tragedy has happened and it is just so... you cannot describe in words _ just so... you cannot describe in words how— just so... you cannot describe in words how awful it is. just so. .. you cannot describe in words how awful it is.— just so... you cannot describe in words how awful it is. people are in shock, words how awful it is. people are in shock. peeple _ words how awful it is. people are in shock, people are _ words how awful it is. people are in shock, people are fearful. - words how awful it is. people are in| shock, people are fearful. southport is a small_ shock, people are fearful. southport is a small town — shock, people are fearful. southport is a small town and _ shock, people are fearful. southport is a small town and there _ shock, people are fearful. southport is a small town and there will- shock, people are fearful. southport is a small town and there will be - is a small town and there will be many— is a small town and there will be many peoriie _ is a small town and there will be many peoriie both _ is a small town and there will be many people both personally - is a small town and there will be - many people both personally impacted by many people both personally impacted iiy this— many people both personally impacted by this and _ many people both personally impacted by this and their— many people both personally impacted by this and their children _ many people both personally impacted by this and their children all— many people both personally impacted by this and their children all know - by this and their children all know the chiidreh— by this and their children all know the children who _ by this and their children all know the children who were _ by this and their children all know the children who were in - by this and their children all know the children who were in that - by this and their children all know . the children who were in that room. and we _ the children who were in that room. and we need — the children who were in that room. and we need to _ the children who were in that room. and we need to give _ the children who were in that room. and we need to give them - the children who were in that room. and we need to give them safe - the children who were in that room. and we need to give them safe to l and we need to give them safe to articulate — and we need to give them safe to articulate their— and we need to give them safe to articulate their emotions. - and we need to give them safe to articulate their emotions. fi- articulate their emotions. 17—year—old suspect who articulate their emotions.- 17—year—old suspect who has articulate their emotions- 17—year—old suspect who has been arrested was born in cardiff and moved to the southport area in 2013. his parents are from rwanda. the incident is not being treated as terror —related. incident is not being treated as

terror -related._ incident is not being treated as terror -related. there is a lot to be figured _ terror -related. there is a lot to be figured out. _ terror -related. there is a lot to be figured out. the _ terror -related. there is a lot to be figured out. the police - terror -related. there is a lot to be figured out. the police have | terror -related. there is a lot to - be figured out. the police have said they have arrested a 17—year—old individual. they are not currently looking for anybody else and they don't think there is anybody else related to this. it is a complicated investigation so they will have to take time now to figure out what has happened and why it happens. specialist medical teams at places like the famous alder hey hospital continue to try to save as many lives as they can. there are more and more flowers as the day goes on. one with a poem saying, we cling to future hope, so so desperately needed here now. frances read, bbc news. in a moment, we'll speak to our reporter, dave guest. he is at alder hey children's hospital, where some of the victims are being treated, and our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford who is in banks, where the 17—year—old—suspect was arrested. first, our reporter lauren moss is at the scene of the attack in southport. lauren, more devastating news for

the community to deal with this lunchtime? yes, in the last hour merseyside police have confirmed a third child just nine years old died from her injuries in hospital this morning and that is the worst news anybody here could have hoped or expected to hear. five of children are still in a critical condition along with two adults trying to protect them yesterday. people have been coming to lay flowers and teddy bears, some young children with their parents. many of them crying and others still in shock about what happened here. the fire service was here just a short time ago and some of those that were involved in the major incident that was declared yesterday alongside the other emergency services, as they laid a floral tribute as well. some of them were visibly moved and i could see them wiping their eyes. as we heard, the home secretary also left flowers and everybody fell completely silent as

she was led through the police cordoned and she laid a wreath and hugged the local mp. many of the messages here are in support of the families affected. 0thers read, what has happened here has brought sadness beyond words and words fail at such a tragic time. that is what i have experience here today, silence on the heaviness as a local community tries to comprehend what has happened here. lauren, for now, thank you very much. 0ur reporter, dave guest, is at alder hey children's hospital, where some of the victims were taken after the attack. dave, what is the latest from there? i have been here since early this morning and about nine o'clock the hospital said they would be endeavouring to give us an update. when it finally came it was the type of update nobody wanted to hear, that a nine—year—old girl had lost her fight that a nine—year—old girl had lost herfight for that a nine—year—old girl had lost her fight for life despite the best efforts of the medical teams. there is medical teams are to save the

lives of the five of the children who remain in a critical condition. elsewhere, those two adults, let's not forget them, they are also critical. they intervened to try to save the children when this person went into that dance class and started stabbing people randomly. alder hey is the world centre for paediatrics, it treats about 450,000 children each year. but even the most experienced staff here, faced with what they were faced with yesterday, must have found it overwhelming. the fact these children had been in an accident or develop an illness, they had been stabbed, brutally in a place where they should have been safe attending a dance class in a summer school. dave guest, thank you. our home affairs correspondent, daniel sandford is in the village of banks, where a 17—year—old boy was arrested yesterday. daniel, what more do we know about the suspect?

we are starting to build a picture of the 17—year—old who we actually think was arrested at the scene. neighbours say he left here at around 11.33 yesterday morning in a taxi at about 50 minutes before the attack started. for legal reasons, lots of things we cannot say, for example we cannot name him because it is unlawful to name somebody under 18 involved in criminal proceedings. but we can say he moved to southport as a young boy in about 2013. he had been born in cardiff and his parents had moved to the uk from rwanda. his brother, his older brother was also born in cardiff. there had been a completely false name circulating on social media which police said today was incorrect and they once again ask people not to speculate while they are investigating. detectives also said once again, at this stage there is no suggestion that this incident

is no suggestion that this incident is terror related but it begs the question as to why somebody would go into a taylor swift themed dance event at the beginning of the school holidays and stab a group of primary school aged girls.— school aged girls. daniel, thank ou. in other news this lunchtime. the chancellor has defended her decision to scrap winterfuel payments for millions of pensioners. rachel reeves told the bbc she had to make tough decisions because of a £22 million black hole in the public finances. her conservative predecessor, jeremy hunt, has denied that he left a massive shortfall in government funding. 0ur political correspondent, harry farley, has this report. rachel reeves arrived at cabinet this morning after criticism from some charities over scrapping winter fuel payments for most pensioners, unless they are on benefits. she claims overspending by the previous government forced to hand. the decisions i _ government forced to hand. tie: decisions i made government forced to hand. he decisions i made on government forced to hand. t'te: decisions i made on winter government forced to hand. tte: decisions i made on winter fuel payment yesterday are not decisions

i wanted to make, they are not decisions are expected to make but when confronted with a £22 million black hole, i had to act. i preserve winter fuel payments for pensioners and pension credit.— and pension credit. jeremy hunt was furious at the _ and pension credit. jeremy hunt was furious at the claim, _ and pension credit. jeremy hunt was furious at the claim, saying - and pension credit. jeremy hunt was furious at the claim, saying rachel. furious at the claim, saying rachel reeves was blaming him for her political decisions. in reeves was blaming him for her political decisions.— reeves was blaming him for her political decisions. in 24 days she set out £8 _ political decisions. in 24 days she set out £8 billion, _ political decisions. in 24 days she set out £8 billion, gb _ political decisions. in 24 days she set out £8 billion, gb energy - political decisions. in 24 days she i set out £8 billion, gb energy around £8 billion, _ set out £8 billion, gb energy around £8 billion, public sector pay rises £9 billion, — £8 billion, public sector pay rises £9 billion, nearly £1 billion of spending for every day that labour has been _ spending for every day that labour has been in office. the independent institute has been in office. the independent institute for — has been in office. the independent institute for fiscal _ has been in office. the independent institute for fiscal studies - has been in office. the independent institute for fiscal studies says - institute for fiscal studies says there were some astonishing areas of unfunded spending by the conservatives, but also many of the tough decisions facing this government were already known about. one of the consequences is labour scrapping and expected cap on the costs of social care. it is scrapping and expected cap on the costs of social care.— costs of social care. it is another exam - le costs of social care. it is another example of— costs of social care. it is another example of social _ costs of social care. it is another example of social care, - costs of social care. it is another l example of social care, something that affects people at some of the

most difficult times of their lives being given too little attention, being given too little attention, being ignored and being tossed aside, which is very disappointing. it is farfrom aside, which is very disappointing. it is far from the last difficult decision treasury officials and the chancellor will have to make in the coming months. there was a strong hint from rachel reeves that some of those decisions could come in the form of tax rises as well as cuts to benefits and public spending when the budget comes in october. but there is a political row going on as to whether the chancellor's claim she was left with a £22 billion black coal is credible. there are certainly elements like the housing costs of asylum seekers that don't appear to have been known about and don't appear to have been budgeted for. and the economic think tank says there are reasons like that for the chancellor to be irritated and angry and there are questions for the conservatives about that. but, the single biggest cost the chancellor

announced yesterday was the increases to public sector pay, including the 22% increase for junior doctors. it is a political choice that labour made. they didn't have to do it and it's not something they can blame the conservatives for. 0k, harry, thank you. riot police in venezuela have fired rubber bullets and tear gas at protestors who are demonstrating against the re—election of the country's president, nicolas maduro. thousands of people took to the streets of the capital, caracas, to denounce the official result of sunday's election, which the opposition party say was fraudulent. 0ur south america correspondent, ione wells, sent this report. our top story this afternoon. a nine—year—old girl has become the third child to die at a knife attack in southport. five more youngsters and two adults are in a critical condition. a last—minute decision by organisers to cancel the men's 0lympic triathlon after heavy rain caused

unhealthy levels of sewage in the river seine. coming up on bbc news... emma raducanu fought offjet lag to beat elise mertens in the opening round of the washington 0pen. the brit won in three sets against mertens in a match that finished after 11pm. the radical islamist preacher, anjem choudary, is due to be sentenced at woolwich crown court this afternoon. he has beenjailed. last month he was found guilty of directing the terrorist group al—muhajiroun and drumming up support for the banned organisation online. our home and legal correspondent, dominic casciani, is outside woolwich crown court. the sentence sends a strong message, doesn't it? it is the sentence sends a strong message, doesn't it? , ., ., ., , doesn't it? it is extraordinarily lona , i doesn't it? it is extraordinarily long. i am _ doesn't it? it is extraordinarily long. i am the _ doesn't it? it is extraordinarily

long, i am the other _ doesn't it? it is extraordinarily | long, i am the otherjournalists doesn't it? it is extraordinarily - long, i am the otherjournalists had watched anjem choudary for many years and he is not a man lacking in confidence but today he was visibly shaken in the dock. i saw him rocking slightly on his feet as he tried to taken the length of the sentence he faces, life with a minimum of 28 years and that means he cannot leave prison until he is 85. for his role in directing al—muhajiroun, probably the uk 's most dangerous terrorism recruitment organisation and the judge summed it up organisation and the judge summed it up like this, he said anjem choudary was not a bomber or a man of violence but it was his words and organisational skills at the heart of the danger he posed because people listen to him and were inspired by him and they moved her brother got involved in balance in the uk and thejudge brother got involved in balance in the uk and the judge said brother got involved in balance in the uk and thejudge said he could not foresee a time when anjem choudary would be safe to be released from prison hence this extraordinary sentence. dominic, thank you.

carol hunt, the wife of bbc commentatorjohn hunt and their daughters louise and hannah died in an attack on the 9th ofjuly. the coroner's court heard hannah texted someone telling them she had been tied up at the family home. at least 63 people have been killed in india and dozens are feared to be trapped after heavy rain triggered massive landslides in the southern state of kerala. rescue operations are under way but are being made difficult due to the unrelenting downpours and the collapse of a crucial bridge. ajudge has issued an arrest a judge has issued an arrest warrant for katie price after she failed to attend a hearing in relation to bankruptcy. the former glamour model was set to face questions about her finances in the bankruptcy court in

london. the men's 0lympic triathlon has been postponed — with just hours to go — because of pollution in the river seine. officials say heavy rainfall led to sewage contaminating the waterway. the event — which was due to take place this morning — has been delayed until tomorrow — but paris is now subject to another major weather alert, with more heavy rain expected this evening. let's speak to our paris correspondent, andrew harding. andrew, there is a lot for the athletes and teams to deal with. good afternoon from a sweltering central paris, this is the river seine, where the athletes should have beenjumping in for their per swim before going cycling and running but they will not do that until tomorrow and there is some frustration from some of the athletes particularly because there is not a back—up plan. if it doesn't go ahead tomorrow or friday that will be at and there will not be a triathlon and no gold medals for

competitors so that is a cause of stress and concern amongst the athletes. the organisers say they are confident that pollution levels will have come down enough by tomorrow morning for the athletes to swim but it is a gamble and it is a reminder the organisers here about climate change and the fact that not only are people coping with the weather here in paris, the unpredictable nature of rainfall but everything is becoming more extreme in terms of thunder, in terms of rainfall and the sunshine today because of the climate crisis. andrew, thank you. what else is coming up on the olympics platform today, katie corneljoins so olympics platform today, katie cornel joins so what olympics platform today, katie corneljoins so what should we be looking out for?— looking out for? british fans can looking out for? british fans can look forward _ looking out for? british fans can look forward to _ looking out for? british fans can look forward to andy _ looking out for? british fans can look forward to andy murray - looking out for? british fans can -

look forward to andy murray playing in the second round of the men's doubles with dan evans, all set for an exit a couple of days ago but they saved five match points against they saved five match points against the japanese power to make it through. he retires at the end of this tournament so he wants to go deep into the competition and sign off in style and they play belgian opponents, unseeded in the draw. there will be so much focus on the women's team final of the gymnastics, superstore simone biles is the big draw in front of her many celebrity fans. she looked fantastic in qualifying despite carrying a calf injury. team gb part of the final, winning bronze back in tokyo, depleted by injury here so i don't think we expect the medal rush that we saw yesterday but the big show for a medal comes in the pool this evening in the four by 200 metre men's freestyle, and the defending champions will go for gold.

a reminder of our top headline this afternoon. a —year—old girl has become that their child to die after an attack on a dance class southport. five more youngsters on two adults remain in a critical condition. and the public enquiry into the 1998 omagh bombing, which killed 29 people, gets under way, after a long campaign from some of the victims' families. now it's time to join our colleagues with the news where you are.

the idea is to give children a designated time to visit and to put parents at ease. it follows research by the arts fund, who surveyed more than 1000 parents. they found 90% wanted to visit art galleries, but over 50% were worried how their children would behave.—

over 50% were worried how their children would behave. there are certain spaces — children would behave. there are certain spaces where _ children would behave. there are certain spaces where you - children would behave. there are certain spaces where you might l children would behave. there are i certain spaces where you might feel a bit apprehensive about taking small ones, of which i have got a couple, so it is really nice to feel welcomed, howeverthat couple, so it is really nice to feel welcomed, however that might be. whether that is events put on, or the way that the tone of a space gives you about what children are allowed to do and what is appropriate, i guess. allowed to do and what is a- --roriate, i ruess. a, . :: appropriate, i guess. more than 20 art galleries _ appropriate, i guess. more than 20 art galleries and _ appropriate, i guess. more than 20 art galleries and museums - appropriate, i guess. more than 20 art galleries and museums are - appropriate, i guess. more than 20 l art galleries and museums are taking part, including the science museum. these are great community spaces. they belong to us all. bring your children and reclaim them as families for yourself. and to benefit from everything that they have got to offer. by, benefit from everything that they have got to offer.— benefit from everything that they have got to offer. a chance then to let our have got to offer. a chance then to let your children _ have got to offer. a chance then to let your children 's _ have got to offer. a chance then to let your children 's imagination - have got to offer. a chance then to let your children 's imagination run free.

the parents of a young, talented performer who took his own life whilst under the care of mental health trusts in north london say staff it failed in their duty to keep him safe. 22—year—old 's, 's body was found in twenty20 after he absconded from highgate mental health centre. the north london mental health has apologised and said it needed additional staff training. he was a cheeky child and very bossy. he was a cheeky child and very boss . r ._ , he was a cheeky child and very boss. �* .,, he was a cheeky child and very boss.�* .,y , bossy. always 'olly, happy, smiling. from the age — bossy. always jolly, happy, smiling. from the age of— bossy. always jolly, happy, smiling. from the age of two, _ bossy. always jolly, happy, smiling. from the age of two, connor- bossy. always jolly, happy, smiling. from the age of two, connor had . from the age of two, connor had begged his parents for dance lessons. he loved singing and acting, too, and is the nickname van bree 's billy elliot. he acting, too, and is the nickname van bree 's billy elliot.— bree 's billy elliot. he wanted to star in the _ bree 's billy elliot. he wanted to star in the west _ bree 's billy elliot. he wanted to star in the west end _ bree 's billy elliot. he wanted to star in the west end and - bree 's billy elliot. he wanted to star in the west end and do - bree 's billy elliot. he wanted to i star in the west end and do musical theatre. he star in the west end and do musical theatre. ., ., , , theatre. he went on to study performing _ theatre. he went on to study

performing arts _ theatre. he went on to study performing arts in _ theatre. he went on to study performing arts in london i theatre. he went on to study. performing arts in london and theatre. he went on to study i performing arts in london and it theatre. he went on to study - performing arts in london and it was there during lockdown that his parents noticed he started to struggle. parents noticed he started to stru: ule. ~ ., ,, ., struggle. went into lockdown so he couldn't come _ struggle. went into lockdown so he couldn't come home _ struggle. went into lockdown so he couldn't come home as _ struggle. went into lockdown so he couldn't come home as often... i

a busy day in the house of commons. angela rayner has talked about the new government 's plans for housing. for the first time we will make local housing targets mandatory, requiring local authorities to use the same method to work out how many homes to build. mr speaker, that alone is insufficient to meet our ambition so we are also changing the standard method used to calculate housing need so it better reflects the urgency of supply for local areas. ratherthan the urgency of supply for local areas. rather than relying on outdated data, this new method will require local authorities to claim four homes in proportion to the size of existing communities and it will incorporate and uplift where house prices are most out of step with local incomes. the collective total of these local targets will therefore rise from some 300,000 per year, tojust over

therefore rise from some 300,000 per year, to just over 370,000 a year. now, some will find this uncomfortable and others will try and poke holes so i will tackle the arguments head on. first, we are demanding —— that we are demanding too much from some places. to this i say we have a housing crisis and a mandate for real change, and we all must play our part. second, that some areas might appear to get a surprising target. well, mr speaker, no method is perfect and the old one produce all sorts of odd outcomes, crucially ours offers extra stability for local authorities. third, that we are lowering our ambition for london. i am clear we are doing no such thing. london at a nominal target of almost 100,000 homes a year based on an arbitrary uplift and that was absolute nonsense. the adoption at the london

plan has a target of 52,000, and delivery in london last year was around 35,000. the target we are now setting for london, roughly 80,000, is still a huge ask but i know it is one that the mayor is determined to rise to and i met with him last week about this. fourth, some will say a total of 370,000 is not enough. to this i say ambition is critical, but we also i want to move to the green belt. we next need to make sure we are building in the right places. the first put of call must be brownfield land. we are making some changes to support it but it is only part of the answer. this is why we must create a more strategic system for green belt release, to make it work

for the 21st—century. local authorities will have to review their green belt if needed to meet housing targets, but they will also need to prioritise low quality grey belt land for which we are setting out a definition today. where land in the green belt is developed, new golden rules will require provision of 50% affordable housing with a focus on social rent. as well as schools, gp surgeries and transport links the community needs and improvements to accessible green spaces. let's not forget, it was the previous government's haphazard approach to building on the green belt that has seen so many of the wrong homes built in the wrong places without local services people need. under labour, this will change. now, mr speaker, increasing supply is up because essential to improving affordability. but we must

also go further in building generally affordable homes. and part of this must come from developers. the housing minister will be meeting with major developers later to make sure they commit to matching our pace of reform. but an active mission led government must also play its role. this is why today i'm calling on local authorities, housing associations and industry to work with me to deliver a council house revolution. mr speaker, this isn'tjust house revolution. mr speaker, this isn't just a house revolution. mr speaker, this isn'tjust a nice add—on, it is vital to getting the 1.5 million homes built because we know that schemes with a large amount of affordable housing are likely to be completed faster. and injecting confidence and certainty into social housing is how we get britain back to building. the previous government had to downgrade the number of new

homes the programme would deliver, and now today i could unveil that not only between 110000 and 130,000 affordable homes are due to be built under this programme, down from their original target of 180,000. under this programme, down from their originaltarget of 180,000. in our worst case scenario, some 70,000 fewerfamilies in need of a secure home will lose out. how have they let that happen? and once again, it is this government which will have to pick up the pieces. this is why today i'm announcing immediate steps for the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation. we will introduce more flexibility is in current affordable homes programme working with homes england and bring forward details of future government investment at the spending review. i recognise

councils and housing associations need support as well. so my right honourable friend the chancellor was set out plans at the next fiscal event to give them the rent stability they need to borrow and invest. ., ., , stability they need to borrow and invest. . . , ~ ., invest. that was angela rayner s-ueakin invest. that was angela rayner speaking in _ invest. that was angela rayner speaking in the _ invest. that was angela rayner speaking in the comments i invest. that was angela rayner speaking in the comments are l invest. that was angela rayner i speaking in the comments are short time ago outlining new plans to change the planning and housing system. i want to bring you some breaking news, anjem choudary, the radical preacher has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 28 years. he was found guilty of directing the group that encouraged a port on online. the sentence means he cannot seek to leave jail on licence until he is at least 85 years of age. we can speak to our correspondent live at woolwich crown court. pork is through what we learnt today.— learnt today. this is an extraordinary - learnt today. this is an extraordinary long i learnt today. this is an i extraordinary long sentence learnt today. this is an - extraordinary long sentence for awem extraordinary long sentence for anjem choudary, amount many

journalists have followed for a long time because of his importance and standing in extremism. he was head of the network which was a broad—based jihad group pushing for sharia law in the uk by any means possible, including violence. over 20 years or so, dozens if not scores of its supporters and people inspired by its ideology went abroad to fight in afghanistan and somalia, in syria in more recent years, carried out acts of terrorism in their home countries, particularly here in the uk. anjem choudary was long said to be at the heart of the organisation, but it was only today he was actually sentence for that, having been found guilty last week. the big question was how long were the courts going to send him to jail for, and thejudge gave him this extraordinarily lengthy sentence of life with a minimum of 28. he is 58,

not lacking in confidence, but he was seen visibly shocked in the dock, effectively rocking back and forwards on his feet as he tried to take in and comprehend the sentence he was given. the judge said the sentence was simple, it came down to his assessment of how dangerous awem his assessment of how dangerous anjem choudary would continue to be and the need to protect the public. he said organisations such as yours normalise violence in pursuit of an ideological cause, they drive wedges between people who would otherwise live together in peaceful coexistence. on that basis the judge said he would sure anjem choudary would continue to preach his message of hate and division inside prison or outside a bed, and therefore he had to be diverted as much as possible, and he couldn't see a time when choudhury would be safe for release. this is an enormous victory

for the counterterrorism services in the uk, and their counterpart in the us and canada, all part of a joint undercover operation establishing awem undercover operation establishing anjem choudary, having left prison in 2021, began trying to redevelop and rebuild his network, thinking he could try first to north america by recruiting people in online lectures, not knowing the organisation he was targeting was actually completely infiltrated by us and canadian undercover officers. that evidence showed a continuation in his organisation through these years and basically led to his conviction and the sentence today. his lawyers also looked extraordinarily shocked in court today. i wouldn't be surprised if they try to take this on behalf of their client to the court of appeal because it is so, so long. this could be the last time anyone ever

sees anjem choudary, the leader of this incredibly important network at the heart of so many terrorism plots in the uk. . , .,, , in the uk. remarkable developments. you touched — in the uk. remarkable developments. you touched on _ in the uk. remarkable developments. you touched on it, _ in the uk. remarkable developments. you touched on it, but _ in the uk. remarkable developments. you touched on it, but if _ in the uk. remarkable developments. you touched on it, but if you - in the uk. remarkable developments. you touched on it, but if you could i you touched on it, but if you could reminders, it is a name in the consciousness of so many people in the country for such a long time. just reminders of the background. awem just reminders of the background. anjem choudary first came to prominence in the late 1990s, he was a student of a man was a syrian born preacher who moved to the uk. set up an organisation, and they basically drove a wedge, or sought to drive a wedge between young, impressionable muslims and society. their worldview was simple, no meeting of minds between islam and the west and the only answer was sharia law for the whole world. if you didn't like it they were paired to take violent

means. he fled the uk after the london suicide bombings of 2005 and eventually jailed london suicide bombings of 2005 and eventuallyjailed in lebanon. when he was jailed in 2014, anjem choudary became the ruler, the leader of the network. by that point he had been banned under various names but were still staging a series of provocative demonstrations, very often media stunts to get on the airwaves. he would appear on talk shows, on television. fora would appear on talk shows, on television. for a long time people didn't understand what he really stood for. i remember occasions where he would be appearing on a quite normal talk show and you would be left wondering how has this man got there. it was because he was very clever at hiding his true message. he would wrap it up in dense theology, but at the heart of it was them versus us. following the

islamists state group's violence in iraq, anjem choudary declared support for the group and encouraged his supporters to follow what they were trying to achieve. that decision led to his jailing for inciting support for the islamic state group and had a five and and a half year sentence. when he was free he was still under quite extensive monitoring in the uk by the police and m15 and other agencies. he tried to resurrect his network and grow it again by starting targeting the followers he knew about in north america. he began giving online lectures, something he did for a long time in the uk, to a small group of followers in the us, not knowing the group had been completely infiltrated by undercover officers. it is the evidence in what was said in those meetings which proved the new york—based group was

the same group, and in effect while the same group, and in effect while the group was banned was still trying to run it, trying to keep it in existence. his lawyers told the court the group was a husk of what it once was and that was taken into account, but thejudge it once was and that was taken into account, but the judge wasn't having any of it. he said the critical fact was the ability as the organiser to infiltrate minds and take people on a path of violence, even though he never picked up the bomb or bullet. that is why he's got the long sentence. i suspect he will go into one of the country's separation unit, presence within prisons to hold some of the most dangerous terrorism convex in the uk. if the nz there, it is to stop him continuing to spout hate —— if he ends up there. continuing to spout hate -- if he ends up there.— continuing to spout hate -- if he ends up there. continuing to spout hate -- if he ends u- there. . ., ,, i. ends up there. dominic, thank you so much for that- _ ends up there. dominic, thank you so much for that. i _ ends up there. dominic, thank you so

much for that. i want _ ends up there. dominic, thank you so much for that. i want to _ ends up there. dominic, thank you so much for that. i want to take - ends up there. dominic, thank you so much for that. i want to take you i much for that. i want to take you live to southport, considering the aftermath of that horrendous mass stabbing in a dance class. we now know a third girl has confirmed to have been killed along with two other girls. nicky is there for us. yes, lewis, it is a scene of grief here in southport today. you can see behind me that the flowers here have been building up throughout the day, and we got that news you have mentioned, that sadly a nine year girl died in the night. she had been critically injured during this incident yesterday, taken to hospital but sadly died in the night. and we've had news from the police in the last couple of hours that the other two girls who died were a six—year—old girl and a

seven—year—old girl. five other children remain in a critical condition, as do two adults. the police say those two adults were trying to intervene when the man came in stabbing during this attack yesterday, and they have been critically injured. tributes have been paid to the person who organised this event. we will have a more ornate soon. in the last couple of hours, the home secretary yvette cooper has visited the scene here. she laid some flowers along with the local mp patrick hurley, and also members of the merseyside police. the home secretary and local mp hugging at the end, unusually for an incident like this when the member of government turns up. the whole

area was packed with members of the press, both in the uk and internationally, fell silently, you could only hear the clicking of the cameras. the home secretary taking time to look at some of those tributes written on some of the cards left with the flowers. let me just remind you of this use of events that unfolded here in southport yesterday. so, it all happened when emergency services were called to this street at 1147 in the morning yesterday to reports of a stabbing. a taylor swift themed summer holiday dance class had been taken place in heart street. this is a real quiet residential area of this seaside town where the attacks happened. as i mentioned, a number of children were injured. they were

taken to a number of hospitals across the north west. they included the alder hey children's hospital in liverpool, and a number of other local hospitals in the north—west. as we have confirmed, three children sadly lost their lives. there are five overs in a critical condition at the moment, and those two adults also in a critical condition. police saying they try to protect the children. a 17—year—old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. he was held in a village about three miles from here. we understand he moved here about a decade ago from cardiff. he has a brother and his parents originally are from rwanda. now, the police aren't giving a lot of information

about the investigation. of course, teams he had been carrying out the forensic operation. we've seen those tell—tale signs of forensic officers in white outfits here in the street this afternoon. all the police are saying is at the moment, it is not terror related, but not giving a lot of details. however, they have urged people on social media not to speculate. there has been a lot of speculation around, there has been a name on social media. police say it is not the name of the suspect. they are urging people not to participate in this speculation and the conspiracy theories that are currently circulating on social media. i mentioned the home secretary yvette cooper visited the scene here along with the local mp and the members of the merseyside police. shortly after she has

visited the scene, she gave