a new migrant hotel that's about a new migrant hotel that's going to happen in hampshire. well, i say hotel actually. they're brand new, beautiful , they're brand new, beautiful, purpose built apartments. the local residents are not happy . local residents are not happy. and after that epic dance final last night, watched by almost 5 million people, the referee, the voice of darts. raspberry. that's the last final that he is going to referee. he joins me live in the studio. we ask is darts about to take off as a game? but before all of that, let's get the news with polly middlehurst . middlehurst. >> nigel, thank you and good evening to you. well, our top story from the gb newsroom tonight is that the prime minister has indeed confirmed he's towards a general he's working towards a general election in the second half of this year , as both labour and this year, as both labour and the democrats were the liberal democrats were pushing a spring election . pushing for a spring election. but the prime minister declined to rule that saying instead to rule that out, saying instead he focus on the he wanted to focus on the economy, cutting taxes and

tackling illegal migration. meanwhile, the labour leader, sir keir starmer, said he's ready to go to the polls now and criticise the prime minister for delaying the vote. he vowed to stand up for working people and said the character of politics will change if labour wins power . more bad weather is on the way, with nottinghamshire county council today declaring a major incident along the river trent because of rising flooding and rising river levels . that's as rising river levels. that's as more heavy rain is forecast to hit the uk tonight. there is a yellow alert in regions right across southern england from cornwall all the way up east to norfolk. train operators are warning services could be cancelled and to check before travelling . detectives are travelling. detectives are investigating the murder of a teenager stabbed on new year's eve are appealing now for the public's help. they've released two images of people they want to identify and speak to after they were pictured in north london on sunday night, 16 year old harry pitman died during

what's being described as an altercation as crowds gathered on primrose hill to watch new year's eve fireworks . prince year's eve fireworks. prince andrew has been reported to the police by the campaign group republic. after more allegations of sexual assault were revealed in unsealed epstein court documents. bill clinton and the late professor stephen hawking are also among 150 other people mentioned in the documents detailing connections to the sex offender jeffrey epstein . many offender jeffrey epstein. many offender jeffrey epstein. many of those named aren't accused of any wrongdoing, but the unsealed files were part of a civil lawsuit against epstein's associate ghislaine maxwell , who associate ghislaine maxwell, who is herself serving a 20 year sentence for recruiting underage girls for sex with epstein. more documents are expected to be unsealed or unredacted in the coming days , as well. unsealed or unredacted in the coming days , as well . now, lord coming days, as well. now, lord david cameron , the new foreign david cameron, the new foreign secretary, says attacks by houthi rebels in the red sea must stop immediately. lord cameron made the comments during

a visit to the nato peacekeeping mission in kosovo. drone attacks by iran backed houthis from yemen in international shipping lanes have drawn widespread condemnation, with the uk , the condemnation, with the uk, the us and other countries issuing a joint statement warning of consequences. >> it's not just a british interest, this is a global interest. it really matters that ships are able to carry their cargoes without being attacked through the red sea, through the suez canal, canal and elsewhere in the world. that's why we've sent ships to help with prosperity. guardian. that's why we will use those ships to stop missile attacks . but the clear missile attacks. but the clear message here and over ten countries have signed a statement saying to the houthis, these attacks are unacceptable , these attacks are unacceptable, they're illegal, and they've got to stop. and if they don't stop action will be taken . action will be taken. >> that's the . news on gb news, >> that's the. news on gb news, on tv, on digital radio and on your smart speaker. this is britain's news channel .

britain's news channel. >> good evening . it's difficult >> good evening. it's difficult not to think that our politics and our elections are not becoming rather more like america. why do i say that? well, because in america, they have long election have incredibly long election campaigns. well, 2024 is only in its fourth day, and the election campaign has begun . yes, of campaign has begun. yes, of course, there's been some speculation that it could be a may. i would have thought that's unlikely. but keir starmer today, giving his big speech, let's just get a flavour of the style and the content of his speech. >> the thought of millions of people right across our country putting across on that ballot papen putting across on that ballot paper. it's what we've been waiting for, for preparing, for fighting for a year of choice, a chance to change britain, a clock that is ticking on this government. the power of the

vote, the hope of change and renewal. man added to the responsibility of service . responsibility of service. that's what i believe in. after 14 years with nothing good to show , no practical achievements show, no practical achievements to point towards, no purpose beyond the fight to save their own skins. this is their only project . they can't change project. they can't change britain , so they will try to britain, so they will try to undermine the possibility of change itself . change itself. >> so there was chaos . starmer >> so there was chaos. starmer sleeves rolled up . i'm an action sleeves rolled up. i'm an action man. i'm ready for business. that's very much a style that he's adopted before an and what was the speech all about? well he used the word to change 32 times. you know, i am the agent for change. he talked about hope. he talked about the importance of democracy . he importance of democracy. he talked about public service . and talked about public service. and yes, of course, he had a dig at the tories saying basically they're there for power for the sake of power . they're there for power for the sake of power. he said that he would clean up british politics.

but i wondered at times in that speech who he was talking to. was he aiming at at labour party activists? was he aiming at, at activists? was he aiming at, at a country more broadly? there was precious little content. but for me the really big thing about that speech is when i hear him saying he's going to be the agent for change, do i believe it? i say that because in the run up to the 97 election, when blair talked about change, i was convinced that he would bring change. i didn't think it was necessarily going to be change that i agreed with or liked, but there was no doubt blair would change things. when i look at what precious little we know of his policy goals, they seem remarkably similar to the conservative party to me. but you tell me, am i wrong? is keir starmer an agent for change? give me some of your thoughts. farage at gb news. com well, not to be completely outdone , we saw to be completely outdone, we saw

the prime minister, rishi sunak, up in the midlands today and this is what he had to say. >> my working assumption is we'll have a general election in the second half of this year and in the meantime, i've got lots that i want to get on with this saturday will be introducing a significant tax cut for millions of people in work worth, on average, average average, £450 for an average worker . because we've halved worker. because we've halved inflation, we want to keep managing economy and managing the economy well and cutting taxes. i cutting people's taxes. and i want tackling illegal want to keep tackling illegal migration. and we cut the number of year over of arrivals last year by over a third. but we've got more to do and we want to get the rwanda scheme through parliament and up and i've got and running. so look, i've got plenty get on with and that's plenty to get on with and that's what focussed on doing, what i'm focussed on doing, delivering people. >> so was our pm dressed >> so that was our pm dressed very casually, obviously one of the cool kids these days, telling us the election is likely to be in the latter half of the year. to say i of the year. i have to say i do believe to true . also believe that to be true. also telling us that he's a tax cutting prime minister so we'll discuss that in a moment with daniel kawczynski concert member of parliament for shrewsbury and

atcham . but i'll begin with the atcham. but i'll begin with the associate editor of the daily mirror, kevin maguire. kevin i made a point a moment ago. i wasn't quite sure . what was wasn't quite sure. what was that? what was that all about? >> i think he's aiming at, uh, former conservative voters or people in middle england who are a bit uncertain. he wants to take them away from the tories and get them over to labour. so he's got to reassure and he's got to reassure them. and it's of you want to offer it's kind of you want to offer radical hope, he radical change and hope, as he puts at the same time, puts it. and at the same time, you reassure uh, you want to reassure people, uh, we haven't seen the full policy area . what will you do? what area. what will you do? what will you sell? what will you sell doorstep? these five sell on the doorstep? these five missions, they missions, as far as they go, are quite they're vague . i quite good. they're vague. i know highest growth in the g7. >> 67. >> who doesn't want that? yeah well, and the conservatives will say the same thing. kevin yeah, but they've never achieved it. >> uh, you know, improving improving service, improving the health service, improving opportunity is cheapen improving opportunity is cheaper, energy and cheaper, sustainable energy and reducing violence against, uh, young girls and women. yeah, they're all good goals. you've got to spell it out. i agree,

but if you're doing the mood music at the beginning of january and you're setting yourself as the future and yourself out as the future and you'll be more competent , you you'll be more competent, you won't be sleazy. i think he's scored his goal a day. while you look at rishi sunak and as as you say, he's talking about cutting taxes after putting them up to the highest level since the second world war. yeah, i get that one could appear credible. starmer the other now i think has a real credibility problem that is sunak. >> the tories have been in power for 14 years. inevitably after a penod for 14 years. inevitably after a period in office, you've had scandals and difficulties. i mean, that's happened since the dawn of time. uh there is a debate. is this worse than before? but that's always happened. before? but that's always happened . but when you talk happened. but when you talk there about his his objectives, they're very similar to sunak's objectives. he wants growth, he wants sustainable energy . he wants sustainable energy. he wants sustainable energy. he wants a reduction of violence. where's the difference? yeah. where's the difference? yeah. where's the difference? yeah. where's the real difference. right. >> but you will you will see differences on on policies and labour tax offer at the moment

is very limited. there's a couple of increases vat on private fees to get 6500 more teachers, which sounds great except it's 34,000 schools. so that's one teacher per per day , that's one teacher per per day, per school per week . uh non—doms per school per week. uh non—doms . put money at the health service going for um , you know, service going for um, you know, electric cars, 20, 30, 20, 35. i agree , they're not. agree, they're not. >> i mean, the tories have led with the electric cars, but you you will find that a lot of people now will just feel if the tories haven't fixed a problem after 14 years, you say , after 14 years, as you say, they're not going to fix it, are they? >> e” w and starmer can >> the problem? and starmer can present as competent. he present himself as competent. he has run a big organisation and the crown prosecution. >> starmer can present himself as agree, starmer as competent. i agree, starmer can present himself as not being extreme . and to give people, you extreme. and to give people, you know, where you're from up in the north east, fears that the north east, the fears that jeremy corbyn gave ex—army families, kind of thing. i jeremy corbyn gave ex—army famalls, kind of thing. i jeremy corbyn gave ex—army famall of kind of thing. i jeremy corbyn gave ex—army famall of that.ind of thing. i jeremy corbyn gave ex—army famall of that. but)f thing. i jeremy corbyn gave ex—army famall of that. but he's ng. i get all of that. but he's selling himself an selling himself today as an agent for change. yeah. >> what will that change be? i agree he's got spell that

agree he's got to spell that out. you saw he stood on one programme, a of programme, which was a lot of change. a corbynista change. it was a corbynista programme the labour programme to win the labour leadership. he's leadership. but he's he's ditched all it for, ditched almost all of it for, for instance, uh, i mean in some ways you should be happier about where he is now than me because l, where he is now than me because i, for instance, would like the uk back in the single market and the customs union. you don't. well you win on that because he's he's also ditched free movement. he's not even being talked about. >> daniel . talked about. >> daniel. um, you know he does i mean i question whether he's an agent for change. his policies are remarkably similar to yours, aren't they? >> oh , no, not at all. they're >> oh, no, not at all. they're very different in the that >> oh, no, not at all. they're v mean ferent in the that >> oh, no, not at all. they're vmean ,3rent in the that >> oh, no, not at all. they're vmean , you in the that >> oh, no, not at all. they're vmean , you have e that >> oh, no, not at all. they're vmean , you have to that >> oh, no, not at all. they're vmean , you have to look that >> oh, no, not at all. they're vmean , you have to look atat >> oh, no, not at all. they're vmean , you have to look at the i mean, you have to look at the full longevity of this government. when we came into office we were office in 2010, we were borrowing about 183 billion a year because of the financial crisis. the socialist vilified us every single year. when we reduce the annual deficit from 2010 to 2019, we've reduced it every single year so that this yean every single year so that this year, no, not this year, no.

>> it's on course to be 150 billion this year. daniel, after. that's appalling. >> after the pandemic. i'm talking about the i'm talking about the first part of the government. we if you go back to the of the government, government. we if you go back to the reduced of the government, government. we if you go back to the reduced the f the government, government. we if you go back to the reduced the annual)vernment, government. we if you go back to the reduced the annual deficitent, we reduced the annual deficit every single year. >> national debt on daniel, >> national debt hang on daniel, national the let's national debt. when the let's get this clear. when the conservatives took power , the conservatives took power, the accumulated national debt was about 750 billion. it is now 2.6 trillion. well, nigel, can i if you look at the figures, we well, i just did we reduced the deficit. >> the annual deficit every single year went up every year. >> of course, the debt hugely. >> of course, the debt hugely. >> of course the debt goes up as long as you're running a deficit. the debt continues to go up. i'm talking about the fact that every year from 2010 to 2019, we've reduced the annual deficit every single yean annual deficit every single year, so that in 2019, the year before the pandemic, we were almost for the first time since margaret thatcher running a

ballot. let me assure you, the socialists hang on, hang on. >> you've had your time your first two years. >> yeah, but you're wrong. >> yeah, but you're wrong. >> i didn't interrupt you. just allow me to speak nonsense. >> if you think you're going to keep the red wall by by saying yes, of course. the national debts exploded in the last 14 years, could have been years, but it could have been worse labour. i don't worse under labour. i don't think election winner. worse under labour. i don't thirplease, election winner. worse under labour. i don't thirplease, can election winner. worse under labour. i don't thirplease, can e|finish? winner. worse under labour. i don't thirplease, can e|finish? because >> please, can i finish? because immigration. labour it immigration. labour called it austerity. called it living austerity. we called it living within means and then if we within your means and then if we hadnt within your means and then if we hadn't taken that measure , can hadn't taken that measure, can you the difficulties you imagine the difficulties that we would be facing in a post—pandemic world? >> i find it even greater. i find it very difficult to believe, very difficult to believe, very difficult to believe that even . well, maybe believe that even. well, maybe under corbyn it would have done. but i find it very difficult to believe in very believe we wouldn't be in a very similar mess. was similar mess. what was interesting was starmer decided not immigration. not to talk about immigration. you not going to you know, we're not going to talk nasty stuff, it talk about nasty stuff, but it is issue that is this immigration issue that it your party is now it seems your party is now talking about constantly. and it seems your party is now tali

have massive net legal migration 7 have massive net legal migration ? ian. well i mean, just to finish off, can i just finish off the debt issue? >> no, no , no, because honestly, >> no, no, no, because honestly, our people at home would be very bored with this. >> no, honestly, you've >> no, no, honestly, you've massively the national massively increased the national debt. you can go on about the annual doesn't work annual deficit. it doesn't work with about immigration? with me. what about immigration? well, immigration of course, is a very serious issue. >> i'm very pleased that the >> and i'm very pleased that the government have announced , uh, government have announced, uh, changes to the thresholds for accepting legal migration . then accepting legal migration. then clearly the prime minister has been very successful, unlike other countries , in signing other countries, in signing deals with albania and others to try to reduce the flow of illegal migration across the engush illegal migration across the english channel. but yes, you are right, there is frustration out there in the constituencies that the immigration is running. this high, and i'm very pleased with the measures that i've heard from the from the prime minister and from the foreign secretary that are in place now with rwanda and other projects to try to break the business

case of the criminal gangs operating in the english channel. >> if you get rwanda through and you start sending large numbers of people to rwanda that may that may turn your chances around on that issue, i can't see it happening . labour nothing see it happening. labour nothing to say on this at all. massive issue. very in the red wall in particular. yeah. look you know where and let's not forget and i'm not actively involved but let's not forget reform also getting votes those getting serious votes in those areas. nigel you're right. >> it is a big issue. the biggest issues are the economy standard and the nhs . standard of living and the nhs. but often third is the question of migration and small boats , of migration and small boats, uh, crossings. and there is no easy answer . and i think labour easy answer. and i think labour began to say that against rwanda. but rwanda is a gimmick. it's a pipe dream. it's an expensive waste of money where are the boat crossings are being reduced is deals, for instance , reduced is deals, for instance, doing the hard yards in a deal with albania, which is a member of nato, to do the returns?

>> that has helped. but but still the numbers are huge and you're not. >> the truth is you cannot stop them what you have to them entirely. what you have to do people come across, do is when people come across, you with them you have to deal with them quickly, efficiently and fairly. that's you need. and of that's what you need. and of course, the government hasn't. we've , sunak claimed it we've seen now, sunak claimed it cleared the backlog. i know, i know of total. i know it went wrong. as credible as daniels claims on debt and the economy , claims on debt and the economy, i would point out to both of you that australia did stop the boats . boats. >> they did literally stop the boats . they put them under tow. boats. they put them under tow. they towed out to they towed them out to indonesia. everybody won't crackers the un, the eu , the crackers the un, the eu, the boats can be stopped. final a final thought. >> different boats. but they have. >> they may be different because they're big boats. >> they have international water between them indonesia. we between them and indonesia. we don't international don't have any international water us. water between us. >> they towed them back to the 12 mile line and it worked. final do you final thought daniel, do you actually the tories are actually think the tories are still chance? on absolutely. >> very i didn't vote >> and i'm very i didn't vote for rishi sunak. i made a mistake. i think he's been very

credible as a prime minister. he's halved inflation and as a result of that priority interest rates are going to come down and i see the economy turning around very well during the course of this year. well and of course , this year. well and of course, let's not forget the socialists want to um, you know, we take 30% of all taxes from the top 1. can you imagine what would happen to our taxes if the top 1% left starmer wants to get rid of non—dom status . of non—dom status. >> you may well wants to increase taxes on that point, the wealth creators that we so desperately need in this country on that point, you may very well be right, kevin. slam dunk for starmer in your view. >> yeah , i think it's just >> yeah, i think it's just a matter of the size now. i think look , you know you just look at look, you know you just look at it. you're you've been around. no. >> look think you're right. >> look i think you're right. >> look i think you're right. >> look i think you're right. >> look it's nice i think the i think after years, the tories think after 14 years, the tories have them themselves. have destroyed them themselves. and you pick and of course, you pick inflation's has halved. it's true. although sunak wouldn't accept any responsibility for it going up. he wants to take the

credit for it coming down. he's missed. >> that's policy . >> that's cool policy. >> that's cool policy. >> but he's missed these other four goals. >> i know one out of five. i have to say it's certainly labour's election . unless the labour's election. unless the tories can pull a very dramatic cat out of the bag . in a moment, cat out of the bag. in a moment, we head to hampshire, where some really beautiful new build apartments suddenly not apartments are suddenly not available the public. now available to the public. now have a it's going have a guess. it's going to become home for migrants. the local conservative member of parliament even speak parliament wouldn't even speak to us. extraordinary .

>> you're listening to gb news radio . radio. >> i asked you if keir starmer, the agent for change, a couple of your reactions. david says he's the only bloke to make john major sound exciting . i and major sound exciting. i and other says my view is vote laboun other says my view is vote labour, get conservative. there is no difference and i have to

say , apart from a few marginal say, apart from a few marginal policies around the edge, i feel that way too. now. the best stories we ever get for this program come from you, the viewers and the listeners. we were tipped off that something was going on in farnborough, in the aldershot , the constituency of aldershot, and we sent adam cherry, gb news reporter this morning to down have a look. adam, what did you find? yeah >> so build as brand new one two bedroom, uh, three bedroom apartments in the heart of farnborough. there's a block of 113 of these. just as the website said, a stone's throw from the town centre . um, from the town centre. um, they've been withdrawn from the market in recent weeks. why because the home office has taken them over, taking the whole property over to house what's expected to be up to 300 asylum seekers. so as you say, we travelled to farnborough earlier today to find out what's going on. and the site itself is, is a multi—million pound conversion as you can see, uh, of an old office complex. it's right up next to an existing

residential block . and the residential block. and the locals, we spoke to say until very, very recent be, uh, they were kept in the dark. so take a look at this. we understand from some time ago. >> there were rumours that was going to be used for housing asylum seekers . and then the asylum seekers. and then the rumour became facts. in fact, my own personal view is that we presented with a rather a fait accompli. we first of all saw single mattresses going in and which curtains have been going up and it was possible to see or still is, uh, some of the internal fittings , um, tables internal fittings, um, tables and chairs and small lounge furniture we've heard since that the council has put objections in, but they've had no reply from the home office . from the home office. >> now, as chris says, uh, furniture and bedding already going into those , those going into those, those properties as we speak and other residents that i spoke to say they only found out about the asylum seeker scheme when a family member actually tried to get to rent one of the flats,

uh, to only discover they were no longer available and been taken off the market. they're gone. already? gone. uh, home office already? already secured them. so emails we've the last couple of we've seen in the last couple of days, uh, reveal the days, uh, reveal that the council made council actually made the decision make public decision not to make a public announcement about the plan. uh, instead , they're considering, instead, they're considering, quote, a more targeted communication and community meetings for residents in the immediate area. well, that announcement, whatever that form takes, clearly hasn't been made yet. um, and in fact, i spoke to one labour councillor and he suggested it's because home suggested it's because the home office have kept rushmoor borough council, the local council itself, completely out of the loop. and here's what he said . said. >> well, let's put it this way. the home office, uh, the the home office, uh, are the home get , um, the home office. we get, um, the home office. we get, um, the home office. we get, um, the home office applying its rights . home office applying its rights. um, with regard to the, uh , um, with regard to the, uh, accommodation of asylum seekers. and so when do you expect the first migrants to arrive? >> you've been told.

>> you've been told. >> i have no idea why we may be briefed this evening with regard to all those details. okay. um, it's it literally it's been the possibility in our diaries for some time . some time. >> so as he says, uh, there'll be they'll be holding a meeting to discuss that at some point tonight. yeah. in the meantime, the conservative councillors for the conservative councillors for the ward, uh, i got in contact and they told me, quote, we realise there is a national issue for housing asylum seekers. however, with our own within our own borough, we have critical housing shortages because of the general circumstances and for this reason, we firmly but firmly believe that the properties in rushmoor should be for the local people at the moment. in other words, local homes for local people . the residents have also people. the residents have also written to their constituency mp, which is conservative leo docherty, to express their frustration about this scheme . frustration about this scheme. um, he told them he and we've seen this via emails to the residents . seen this via emails to the residents. um, he seen this via emails to the residents . um, he told them he residents. um, he told them he had voiced, quote, strong opposition to the home office's

plan the site and he said plan for the site and he said that to the home secretary, james cleverly. now, i tried to get in contact with leo myself to him about this, given to ask him about this, given that he voiced opposition, that he voiced his opposition, i thought easy that he voiced his opposition, i th

centre in farnborough . we've centre in farnborough. we've called several times and i've sent an email to the, uh, to the parliamentary office as well . it parliamentary office as well. it doesn't look like they're happy to chat to us. is there any reason you don't want to talk to us guys? well, i've sent several texts and calls. uh, emailed his office and unfortunately, it doesn't look like we're going to make any progress today. there we go. now, we did get we did get a statement from the home office themselves. they say we continue to work across government and with local authorities to identify a range of accommodation options to reduce use of reduce the unacceptable use of hotels, which cost £8 million, a day. the government remains committed to engaging with local authorities and key stakeholders as part of this process. >> s adam, well done. thank you. and yeah, nice flats freshly furnished up to three bedrooms.

and remember free medical care, gp's, free dental care. nice work if you can get it. daniel, why would a conservative member of parliament refuse to engage with this on this? it's a really bad look . bad look. >> well, i'm not going to speak on behalf of leo docherty. he is a very hard working and effective member of parliament and a very effective colleague. i'm sorry that doesn't look like it. mr cherry manage to it. mr cherry didn't manage to speak to him, but what i would say no, no no no no, no, he say is no, no no no no, no, he didn't to mr didn't manage to speak to mr cherry as the other way round. >> tried crazy. well, >> he tried like crazy. well, i will let docherty speak for will let leo docherty speak for himself he want himself if he doesn't want to. you've speak him. you've got to speak for him. >> i can't possibly speak. >> i'm teasing you. >> i'm teasing you. >> what i can say is, though, that constituency i'm in that in my constituency i'm in a battle with the home office over the fact that they are using one of our top five star hotels in the centre of shrewsbury to house asylum seekers. tourism is our number one income generator in shrewsbury, and having one of our main hotels being used for asylum seekers has caused a lot of residents concern. who have

written to me and clearly the situation is unsustainable and that's why that's one of the reasons i'm backing mr sunak over the rwanda deal. we've got to break the business case of these criminal gangs who are profiting and making fortunes out of illegally trafficking people across the channel. >> they certainly are. well you've managed to reduce the number of hotels in use because you're now booking private apartments . kevin, you know, apartments. kevin, you know, this isn't just in aldershot. this is happening in hundreds of towns country. and towns all over the country. and you know, know yourself . you know, you know yourself. this leads to a sense of unfairness , resentment. unfairness, resentment. >> yeah, it's one of the one of the reasons you have to have the community meetings really early on because asylum seekers, refugees, people to refugees, they're people to hopes and stories to tell. >> and you need to engage the local community. i think the mp, the conservative mp in this case, unless he's got a doctor's note, was cowardly . um, but it's note, was cowardly. um, but it's the product of broken system the product of a broken system which does create . which does create. >> never give me any answers. >> never give me any answers. >> well, they've got a clear the

backlog genuinely. not just pretending it's cleared and you've got to deal with claims promptly. so people who are entitled to stay are allowed to stay, and they can work and pay their and then those who their way. and then those who aren't for to stay aren't qualified for to stay can't stay. then you have to you have to deal with them, which does mean trying to find out where they came from and return it, is not easy. there's it, which is not easy. there's no there are no easy answers. >> there are no easy answers. but one thing certain folks, but one thing for certain folks, this not going to this issue is not going to go away a hurry by some away in a hurry unless, by some miracle, rwanda actually happens away in a hurry unless, by some mia cle, rwanda actually happens away in a hurry unless, by some mia moment.da actually happens away in a hurry unless, by some mia moment. heactually happens away in a hurry unless, by some mia moment. he wasilly happens away in a hurry unless, by some mia moment. he was welcomedis in a moment. he was welcomed back christmas. he was there back for christmas. he was there at church at sandringham. at the church at sandringham. fergie back it would fergie was back in tow. it would appean fergie was back in tow. it would appear, from epstein files appear, from the epstein files may be just may prince may be just may be. prince andrew is in a bit of trouble again

home, hasn't it? and it's your listening to gb news radio . listening to gb news radio. >> i'm joined by rafe needleman , >> i'm joined by rafe needleman, royal commentator expert gb news regular. i said before the break, there they were,

sandringham christmas, prince andrew very much. it would appear back in the fold even fergie, for the first time in nearly 30 years, was back there. and then we get the epstein files and i mean, look, you know, we can believe what we want to believe. we can say it's all made up, but it does suggest that on as part of the british virgin islands , he took place in virgin islands, he took place in the accusation as he took place in an underage orgy and was also accused of groping the boobs of an alex sex alleged sex slave. um we've had years of this already . but what does this do? already. but what does this do? yeah, well , the first thing to yeah, well, the first thing to say is that none of this is new. >> these aren't new allegations. so the audrey and so forth. this is jane doe three, who we presume is actually a giuffre presume is actually is a giuffre . uh, and so we know about these three allegations of sex. one in london, in the york london, one in the new york mansion epstein and one and mansion of epstein and one and one in the island, and the groping of the breast is was alleged by johanna sjoberg . and

alleged by johanna sjoberg. and that was alleged first in 2019. what's important about this release of documents is that we now have the sworn testimony, the depositions and the statements that back up these allegations. that's why there's now added weight and there's now incentive for investigative journalists to do their own digging. i certainly not digging. i mean, certainly not a happy new year for prince andrew and he has to wonder whether he'll ever be able to escape the clutches of this story. but we're about pages of we're talking about 950 pages of documents . this we're talking about 950 pages of documents. this is just the first tranche. there are thousands documents to thousands of more documents to come, are total of come, and there are a total of 170 people named here. um, including, of course, bill clinton, who's mentioned 50 times. prince andrew's mentioned 67 times. and everybody from michael jackson to indeed , michael jackson to indeed, stephen hawking is mentioned. but of course, it must be said, just having your name listed here mean you've done here doesn't mean you've done anything wrong. this is not a little black book of sex offenders. these are people who've connection in who've had some connection in some capacity with epstein over the years . some capacity with epstein over the yeah, . right. and it >> yeah, that's right. and it might you know, they've met might be, you know, they've met or been his apartment

or they've been to his apartment in new york, which many people in new york, which many people in did over in business and media did over the of course, the years and are, of course, fiercely all of this, as the years and are, of course, fieialways all of this, as the years and are, of course, fieialways has. all of this, as the years and are, of course, fieialways has. but, of this, as the years and are, of course, fieialways has. but, ralph, as the years and are, of course, fieialways has. but, ralph, how he always has. but, ralph, how does handle what does does he handle this? what does he well, course, it's hard to >> well, of course, it's hard to see the royal family do see what the royal family can do in this, because in terms of this, because they've as far as they've really gone as far as they've really gone as far as they can go. you know, they've stripped royal stripped him of his royal highness title. lost all highness title. he's lost all of his military his honorary military appointments of appointments and titles, all of his can't his patronages. he can't wear uniform. basically uniform. he's basically sequestered at royal lodge, windsor. um, you know, the king and prince william have both been forces. even been the driving forces. even dunng been the driving forces. even during behind during the queen's reign, behind ensuring that he keeps a low profile prince andrew has been sort manoeuvring behind the sort of manoeuvring behind the scenes to try to slow inch his way back into public life . i way back into public life. i think there needs to be a firm decision now made to tell him there's no of that ever there's no chance of that ever happening . look, he's 63 years happening. look, he's 63 years of he's two years away from of age. he's two years away from retirement. anyway i think he should just this. needs should just view this. he needs to just retire. >> but none of this has been proven. >> but. well, that's the point. i get on look, >> but. well, that's the point. i not get on look, >> but. well, that's the point. i not guilty: on look, >> but. well, that's the point. i not guilty of on look, >> but. well, that's the point. i not guilty of anything:, >> but. well, that's the point. i not guilty of anything . he's not guilty of anything. he's denied any wrongdoing and no law finds

no court of law finds him guilty. you're a prince guilty. but when you're a prince of the realm, that doesn't really . he's been found really matter. he's been found guilty in the eyes of the public and opinion here. guilty in the eyes of the public and support»pinion here. guilty in the eyes of the public and support forion here. guilty in the eyes of the public and support for the here. guilty in the eyes of the public and support for the monarchy re. the support for the monarchy depends upon public support. and, you know, he was willing as a brave naval soldier, to pay the ultimate sacrifice in the falklands war. it's now time for him to pay another him again to pay another sacrifice and go into retirement for the good of king and country. he did it for queen and country. he did it for queen and country. now for king. it may be unfair unjust unfair and unjust just. but i think that's the service he needs do to the crown. you needs to do to the crown. do you feel that pretty strongly, don't you? it's just i you? well, i think it's just i think the interests the think the interests of the monarchy must be supreme. and he's now. anywhere he's of an age now. anywhere where gracefully. where he can retire gracefully. there's every chance for his daughters torch daughters to take up his torch if to. but i just if they want to. but i just think the time has come, essentially, for him to stop becomingalready with the had that already with the sussexes. need sussexes. the king doesn't need all his first couple all of this. in his first couple of years as king, ralph , you're of years as king, ralph, you're probably right. >> but something about it feels , >> but something about it feels, i understand that i. i still believe that you should be

innocent until you are proven guilty. i agree and i also get the court of public opinion stuff and he's not a friend of mine. i've never met him, but just something here says to me all these accusations, they may be right, they may be wrong, but i just feel uncomfortable. but he has role in the private he has a role in the private life of the royal family >> at sandringham. >> we see him at sandringham. we'll seeing him at events. we'll be seeing him at events. it's just of not it's just a question of not having official role in having a formal official role in pubuc having a formal official role in public as a working royal. i think a happy compromise. think that's a happy compromise. >> thank a couple of >> ralph. thank you. a couple of what moments what the farage moments would you that british you believe that the british film now want to put film institute now want to put a trigger warning on james bond films ? yes. that's right. and on films? yes. that's right. and on the ipcress file and several other michael caine films. and we'll be told that material in these films may cause offence . these films may cause offence. oh oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. we're all to be wrapped in cotton wool and protected from different opinions. and the outside world or so social norms. 50 or 60 years ago. what

a waste of time. now this is important , a waste of time. now this is important, aren't we have three very senior members of the foreign office and they are simon macdonald , sir peter simon macdonald, sir peter westmacott and lord kerr. these are former ambassador to america , head of the foreign office in the uk. and they're saying if trump wins , we may well face trump wins, we may well face a major security problem . the major security problem. the problem could be massive . and problem could be massive. and that's because trump will withdraw all support for ukraine and might leave nato and they're getting ready. yeah. lord kerr says we need to get together discreetly with america's other allies, france and germany . this allies, france and germany. this is the remain foreign office who will use any excuse they can to try and get us into a europe indian defence union and de facto back into the eu. trump i sat and talked personally with trump about nato, america has more than paid its way. it's

just that 25 of the 28 members, the european countries weren't even bothering to pay the 2% membership fee. and what trump did was to come to brussels more than once and say, stop, stop being delinquents. we will stand by you. we will stand with you , by you. we will stand with you, but you please start playing fair. but that is our weaselly foreign office on a happier note, dance has absolutely . note, dance has absolutely. dominated the first week of this yearin dominated the first week of this year in terms of news, the 16 year in terms of news, the 16 year old centre asian. he may have lost in the final, but nearly 5 million people watched it . and right at the centre of it. and right at the centre of it. and right at the centre of it all was the referee. the voice of dance. he's been that for 28 years. russ bray last night, that was his last final. russ joins me in the studio and a couple of minutes . is darts a couple of minutes. is darts about to become really , really about to become really, really trendy

it -- it was the battle of the lukes. yes it was littler versus humphrey's. nearly 5 million people watched it more people that watched the ryder cup, more people to watch the ashes. the biggest ever sky sports audience that wasn't a major football game . and right in the middle of game. and right in the middle of all of it was, of course, the referee. a man has appeared before on this program . abby. so before on this program. abby. so out there i feel shy when i'm with him. hey, russ. bryce. no need to feel sorry. me neither . need to feel sorry. me neither. >> what a week. fantastic amazing. absolutely fantastic . amazing. absolutely fantastic. three weeks, to be fair. yeah, but it's really caught on this last one. it looks kicked in. >> 16 year old lad . i mean, >> 16 year old lad. i mean, incredible, unbelievable . all incredible, unbelievable. all fabulous finishes . and you were fabulous finishes. and you were there. well, you were closer than any human being to it last night. and there he was. he was four sets to two up. he was the first to get seven wins. and first to get to seven wins. and he was within a whisker, wasn't he? going five two up certainly was certainly was. >> that miss in the

>> um, and that miss in the double uh, i think it was double two missing the double two. that was just the crucial, crucial bit. had it hit that, who knows what had happened . you know, you what had happened. you know, you can't take it away from luke humphries. i mean, the kid's world number one going into that final and he sort of been dismissed a little bit, you know, but everything's about it was tough, humphries, wasn't it? >> whole crowd >> because the whole crowd wanted youngster win? wanted the youngster to win? yeah. and to in front of wanted the youngster to win? y

i've been to, uh, holland, where we had 12,000 people the we had 12,000 people in the crowd, made the hairs on crowd, and it made the hairs on the back your neck stand up the back of your neck stand up there at the ali there last night at the ali harbi ali was the greatest atmosphere ever atmosphere i've ever experienced. what is experienced. and what is interesting isn't just that this is a 16 year old phenomenon, and you occasionally see it. >> you know, emma raducanu came from nowhere in 19, won the us open tennis as a qualifier. you know going through and it can happen. you know, a young prodigy can occur. what was really looking really interesting was looking at the combined ages. so combined well it is interesting because the combined ages of the two of them were 44. if you go back back in the years that you've been doing this, you know, you've had combined ages up in the 80s. >> yeah, definitely almost touching 90 and kind of you'd have thought, well, maybe darts was one of those games that age wouldn't be a particular battle here to. >> and yet it does appear that the top darts players are

getting younger and it also appears this is hard to say , appears this is hard to say, that these darts players don't even drink. >> i don't know, and that's and that's the truth . cultural that's the truth. cultural cultural shock. exactly yeah, exactly. i mean, the pdc have tried to, you know, take the game out of the pub and to be fair, most of the pubs now are closing down a lot of them closing down a lot of them closing down a lot of them closing down 400 a week. you hear these days, um, where you go out for your traditional sunday afternoon, you know, have a game darts, have a couple a game of darts, have a couple of pints, go home over your dinner. um, that sort of system of pints, go home over your dinrgone m, that sort of system of pints, go home over your dinrgone there.t sort of system of pints, go home over your dinrgone there. that'sf system of pints, go home over your dinrgone there. that's that'sem has gone there. that's that's way out the window. the pdc professional way out the window. the pdc profe brought development have brought in a development toun have brought in a development tour, tour, and then tour, a challenge tour, and then the tour . so you've got the main tour. so you've got that stages coming up. well, these kids have got no fear, no whatsoever. they get up there, these kids have got no fear, no what get fer. they get up there, these kids have got no fear, no what get their1ey get up there, these kids have got no fear, no what get their darts,t up there, these kids have got no fear, no what get their darts, they've re, they get their darts, they've got a dart ball that um, you see kids at four years of you kids at four years of age, you know, academies. >> what interests me about this, russ, is this russ, what interest me is this you all the as you know, we all knew the pub as being where darts was being the place where darts was played if like the

played. and then if you like the game, bought put it game, you bought a board, put it up at home somewhere up on a wall at home somewhere for, you know, i've got a couple of dart boards , i bet. i bet the of dart boards, i bet. i bet the millions families they've millions of families they've got, it's it's got, you know, and it's and it's the game annoyed the kind of game really annoyed me. of the me. some of the, some of the commentators week talking commentators this week talking about a minority sport. about it as a minority sport. we've played darts at some point. >> exactly. >> exactly. >> and it's accessible for everyone, it? it's one of everyone, isn't it? it's one of the cheapest sports you can have i >> -- >> you don't need a team member to kick a ball to or throw a ball to or anything like that. you it on your own. you you can do it on your own. you buy a dart you buy a set buy a dart board, you buy a set of darts and away you go. all you need is seven foot nine and of darts and away you go. all y(quarter.is seven foot nine and of darts and away you go. all y(quarter. a seven foot nine and of darts and away you go. all y(quarter. a wall, foot nine and of darts and away you go. all y(quarter. a wall, footaway and a quarter. a wall, and away you go. and this is what the go. yeah, and this is what the kids doing. kids are doing. >> yeah. mum gets upset >> yeah. and mum gets upset because you miss when you're young. >> that's replaster >> that's got to replaster it. >> that's got to replaster it. >> so, so i get all of >> and it so, so i get all of this . this. >> but what has been attracting youngsters to darts . you say youngsters to darts. you say youngsters to darts. you say young kids age four. what's been what's been bringing them into it ? it? >> i think the exposure on tv that you've got darts on nearly every week, you've got the premier league starting, um, in

february that goes on for 17 weeks. so that's actually up to me. every week, every me. so every week, every thursday you've a thursday night you've got a darts tournament tv. um, darts tournament on tv. um, people to see because people tune in to see it because it is exciting. packed it is exciting. they're packed audiences in there anyway. yeah. so you actually go and see so when you actually go and see all these guys and girls playing so when you actually go and see all tidartsiuys and girls playing so when you actually go and see all tidarts ,ys and girls playing so when you actually go and see all tidarts , oh and girls playing so when you actually go and see all tidarts , oh yeah, rls playing so when you actually go and see all tidarts , oh yeah, i s playing so when you actually go and see all tidarts , oh yeah, i canaying so when you actually go and see all tidarts , oh yeah, i can dorg their darts, oh yeah, i can do that. and then of course you've got the renumeration side of things. you know, the amount of money that they can win as well. um combined with the um that combined with the exciting value of it . yeah. exciting value of it. yeah. >> but you've got to have why but you've got to have sky sports. >> oh you've got, it's got to be on tv. it must be. on tv. yeah, it must be. >> dad's got to you or mum's >> dad's got to pay you or mum's got you. got to pay you. >> yeah, yeah. um oh got to pay you. >> yeah, yeah. um on we do >> yeah, yeah, yeah. um on we do do well. so uh, you know, do itv as well. so uh, you know, a little bit itv with a little bit on itv with the world so know, but world series, so you know, but it is accessible but you do need to able to see it. to be able to see it. definitely. and, know we definitely. and, and you know we broke records yesterday certainly as you mentioned there, with the there, you know, with, with the viewing just viewing figures, you know, just being liverpool arsenal being in the liverpool arsenal football thing, being in the liverpool arsenal foot know, thing, being in the liverpool arsenal foot know, and thing, being in the liverpool arsenal foot know, and when thing, being in the liverpool arsenal foot know, and when you ng, being in the liverpool arsenal foot know, and when you get that you know, and when you get that type happening on sky, type of thing happening on sky, which a pay channel, think, which is a pay channel, i think, i speaks volumes.

i think it speaks volumes. >> fantastic >> i think it's fantastic and the thing. but i've the whole thing. but i've always, watching always, you know, loved watching darts is darts and the whole thing is a complete sensation when you came on about a year ago , we did talk on about a year ago, we did talk in pints. we did. on about a year ago, we did talk in pints. we did . that's right. in pints. we did. that's right. no, no pints because we. >> oh no, no, not just that. >> oh no, no, not just that. >> gone sober but one >> we've all gone sober but one of the things we touched on when you were here last time. yeah was the idea that like many other sports academies were beginning to develop around the country, and it's pretty clear, uh, that young littler has been involved in academies, in academies . involved in academies, in academies. so is he a direct product of that system , would product of that system, would you say? >> oh, definitely. yeah, definitely . definitely. >> um, no two ways about it. i go to a couple of academies when? as when i can. we've got one stowmarket up the one in stowmarket just up the way live soham and way from me. i live in soham and i to milton keynes i drop down to milton keynes when i, when i get the chance. that's two i've been to, that's two that i've been to, um, i want to um, recently. i want to get to a lot more when i get more time now. um, you see the now. um, but when you see the kids, they're throwing know, kids, they're throwing you know, they're boards kids, they're throwing you know,

th> listen, i've said before, rishi sunak wants everyone to stay on school at their to stay on at school at their 18 to be good numbers. just be good with numbers. just go and absolutely. and and play darts. absolutely. and you good mental you know, good mental arithmetic. yeah know, arithmetic. yeah you know, i think sort of arnold palmer think back sort of arnold palmer appears golf and suddenly appears in golf and suddenly kids america want play kids in america want to play golf we to win cycles golf. if we start to win cycles gold medals because we've had an academy system that to be fair to him, john major helped set up and wants to cycle. is and everyone wants to cycle. is darts to explode? darts about to explode? >> yeah, definitely. >> yeah, definitely. >> explode even >> it's going to explode even bigger. big. it's bigger. bigger. it's big. it's bigger. it really is big. but with littler being a youngster, he's

every tabloid, every newspaper, every tabloid, every newspaper, every piece of media you can think of is luke littler. um, of course , the youngsters will course, the youngsters will relate to that. so youngsters say, dad, mum , give me a dart say, dad, mum, give me a dart ball. so these academies, these academies are going to be filled up aren't they. yeah, they will do. they will overflow. >> is there public funding >> is there any public funding for no. no it's all funded. >> um no. no it's all funded. it's all funded by themselves. the academies form the academy and they basically fund themselves. they try and get sponsors and things like that. yeah. um, i know the pdc do try and help out a little with and help out a little bit with various ones, you know, well various ones, but you know, well it's going to happen. it will do. >> it's going to happen. it's the and your role. you the future and your role. you know you've been you've been a good done other jobs. as you've done many otherjobs. as we . we before we discussed. we did before scaffolder and and scaffolder and copper and all sorts . um, but scaffolder and copper and all sorts. um, but for 28 years you've been doing this 14 finals. you've done last night was your last one. talk about going out on a high. um, but you're now going to become an ambassador for the pdc, an

ambassador for the pdc, an ambassador for the sport. is that within the uk? is it a global role ? it's going to be. global role? it's going to be. >> it will basically be everywhere. um, but i will still do the asian tour. so i'll be going out to asia eight, nine, ten times a year. um, is japan's year china's year? singapore's philippines everywhere like that . um, where we do have an asian tour system in and we're going tour system in and we're going to find an asian luke littler. i reckon we will. we may . well. reckon we will. we may. well. and if i find one, then i will find 5 or 6, because asia have the nature and the, the way they are like they've done with the snooker and i've done with golf. yeah. they find one. the next thing you know got 8 or 9 thing you know you've got 8 or 9 and and they, are and they, and they, they are getting better better each yeah >>i yeah >> i think you're in for a very, very exciting time. i think very much i think, as say, much so. i think, as you say, the was growing around the the sport was growing around the globe. remarkable globe. anyway in a remarkable way , the academies etc. this way, the academies etc. this it's just going to take off. well, listen , thanks for coming well, listen, thanks for coming in. you've had a very , very busy in. you've had a very, very busy few days, but just before we go

off air. yeah, you've got to give us one of your legendary see what happens if somebody hits the triple 23 times. what does russ bray say? >> well, russ bray will need to go one rac. >> well there he is russ bray thanks ever so much. thanks guys. and you can see folks why he's been known as the voice for all of those years. well darts hasn't completely lost his lost lost the voice because he'd be taking that voice all round the world. that's it from me . i'm world. that's it from me. i'm back with you on monday . let's back with you on monday. let's hope the weather improves. i'm sure that it won't. in a moment. it'll be richard tice. but first, let's have a look at that. all important weather says he looks like things are heating up. >> boxt boiler oilers, sponsors of weather on gb news . good of weather on gb news. good evening i'm alex burkill here with your latest gb news weather forecast. >> while some of us may see a

touch of frost and some fog patches tonight, there is still some heavy rain affecting southeastern parts. an area of low pressure has pushed its way up as we went through today, bringing some pretty heavy rain across southern areas, and that rain is now going to feed a little further northeastward little bit further northeastward , affecting particularly east anglia lincolnshire through anglia into lincolnshire through this evening overnight. it this evening and overnight. it could cause some travel disruption and some further flooding possible too. but flooding is possible too. but that gradually trying to that rain gradually trying to clear the early clear away through the early hours showers elsewhere hours, a few showers elsewhere but also some drier, clearer weather, for inland weather, particularly for inland areas, allow for a touch areas, could allow for a touch of frost also some patches of frost and also some patches of frost and also some patches of first thing tomorrow of fog. first thing tomorrow morning . otherwise, as we go morning. otherwise, as we go through tomorrow, bit of a wet start some eastern start for some eastern parts. a lot of that rain will clear away, but for orkney, shetland some continues some persistent rain continues going into the afternoon, perhaps of sleet going into the afternoon, perhias. of sleet going into the afternoon, perhias well. of sleet going into the afternoon, perhias well. otherwise leet going into the afternoon, perhias well. otherwise some here as well. otherwise some showers, most likely for parts of wales , western england, maybe of wales, western england, maybe coastal for scotland and coastal showers for scotland and northern but something coastal showers for scotland and northerbit but something coastal showers for scotland and northerbit drier but something coastal showers for scotland and northerbit drier andt something coastal showers for scotland and northerbit drier and sunnier. ing a little bit drier and sunnier. further inland temperatures for many staying in single figures

as we look towards saturday and it's going to be quite a cloudy story for eastern parts. a few showery outbreaks of rain likely here, sunnier though further west, with just a few coastal showers possible . some blustery showers possible. some blustery winds quite likely for scotland. elsewhere, lighter winds as high pressure builds in and that high pressure builds in and that high pressure is likely to dominate through sunday into monday, bringing but chilly bringing largely dry but chilly weather many. but by a weather for many. but by a brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on .

gb news. >> hello, good evening, i'm richard tyson, i'm filling in for the splendid sir jacob richard tyson, i'm filling in for the splendid sirjacob rees mogg. >> this is my last night of the week. he'll be back next week on state of the nation. >> huge show tonight. >> huge show tonight. >> boris johnson , the former >> boris johnson, the former prime minister, absolutely

slammed police for slammed as the met police for investigate israel over alleged war crimes in gaza . the prime war crimes in gaza. the prime minister and sir keir starmer have started their battle for the ballots. the general election campaign . today, we've election campaign. today, we've had them both out . the prime had them both out. the prime minister, he says that he sort of is working assumption is the election will be in the second half of 2025. >> i wonder if we trust him on that. a new data unbelievable data reveals that the bosses of the biggest 100 companies, the ftse 100, they own more an hour than the average worker earns in a year. just get that in an houh a year. just get that in an hour, more in an hour than everybody else earns in a year. and the petition to strip the former home office boss of her cbe soars after the itv drama aired. now now, before we go to the news last night, i said that i had an exclusive interview this evening with someone who was potentially being threatened this evening with someone who was jprison ally being threatened this evening with someone who was jprison from eing threatened this evening with someone who was jprison from the] threatened this evening with someone who was jprison from the child itened with prison from the child maintenance service . now it's an

maintenance service. now it's an incredibly