gb news. hello and welcome to gb news. >> saturday. i'm dawn neesom and for the next three hours i'll be keeping you company on tv, onune keeping you company on tv, online and on digital radio. keep you up to date on the stories that really matter to you. coming up. this hour. the united dropped more than united states dropped more than 125 bombs on iran's military and its allies in iraq and syria on friday night, as it began its retaliation for attacks on american troops. but is this just further escalation? playing into iran's hands then the manhunt continues for suspected chemical attacker, with police saying they found containers with corrosive warnings during a new castle raid. we'll bring you up to date on the very latest on that horrific story and is this

the billionaire singer songwriter taylor swift involved in a plot to block trump's path to the white house >> yes. >> yes. >> you're hearing it all here, aren't you? >> trump supporters seem to think so, but this show is nothing without you and your views, so let me know your thoughts on all of the stories we've been talking about today. very simple . to get in touch, very simple. to get in touch, email me at gbviews@gbnews.com or message me on our socials. we're just at gb news. >> but first let's have a look at those news headlines with erin armstrong . erin armstrong. >> good afternoon to you. it's a minute past 12. i'm aaron armstrong, the uk says it remains a steadfast ally of the united states after washington launched dozens of strikes in the middle . launched dozens of strikes in the middle. east. launched dozens of strikes in the middle . east. nearly 40 the middle. east. nearly 40 people have died, including civilians , after 85 targets were

civilians, after 85 targets were hit in syria and iraq. the action was in response to a drone attack on a us military base that killed three soldiers last weekend . the government last weekend. the government says it supports washington's right to respond to attacks from militant groups linked to iran . militant groups linked to iran. iraq, though, has warned the strikes will have disastrous consequences for the region. power sharing is set to return to northern ireland later, two years after it collapsed . it years after it collapsed. it comes after the democratic union party ended its long running boycott over post—brexit trade arrangements . so for the first arrangements. so for the first time in history, northern ireland will have a nationalist first minister. when sinn fein, the biggest party in stormont, will nominate michelle o'neill, the dup is the largest unionist party will get to nominate a deputy first minister. the two roles have equal power and cannot exist without the other political commentator doctor john coulter says he's hopeful the new deal will work. >> there is a mood of optimism. i think, as i said , the last i think, as i said, the last chance saloon attitude that i

mentioned, they know that if it doesn't work this time , the doesn't work this time, the government's patience is going to run out. and let's put this day in perspective , uh, day in perspective, uh, basically, if sir jeffrey hadn't been able to agree a deal and say, stormont had been mothballed, it would have supped mothballed, it would have slipped down the league table of importance for the prime minister a manhunt is still ongoing for a suspected chemical attacker . attacker. >> abdul ezedi, who has significant injuries on the right hand side of his face, was last seen at london's kings cross station on wednesday evening. a 31 year old mother who was attacked with a corrosive substance, remains in hospital while her two young daughters hurt , but daughters were also hurt, but not as badly as first thought. for six, are being for chennai six, tests are being carried on two empty carried out on two empty containers found at an address in . they were carrying in newcastle. they were carrying corrosive warning labels. former met police detective chief superintendent kevin hurley says there are few steps the suspect

can take. >> he has either, uh, gone into hiding or is being hidden by friends or relatives , or friends or relatives, or alternatively , um, he's killed alternatively, um, he's killed himself because where he comes from , uh, culturally, because from, uh, culturally, because i've worked in afghanistan a couple of tours in kabul, the view of some elements of the afghan community is that women are lesser mortals than dogs. so if he's with a group of afghans who think he's quite rightly punished , potentially someone punished, potentially someone who was in a relation . punished, potentially someone who was in a relation. ukip, they will almost see nothing wrong with what he's done. >> meanwhile, the home office is being carry out an being urged to carry out an urgent into how abdul urgent review into how abdul ezedi was allowed to remain in the uk. zaidi, who is from afghanistan, was convicted of a sexual offence in 2018 and was given a suspended sentence. he was granted asylum after two failed attempts when a priest confirmed he had converted to christianity . 83 people have

christianity. 83 people have been stabbed at a train station in paris. a suspect has been arrested following the incident at gard lyon this morning . none at gard lyon this morning. none of the victims suffered life threatening injuries. french police are still working to establish motive . the train establish a motive. the train driver strike is again hitting parts of the country. members of aslef at avanti west coast at east midlands and west midlands railway are staging a 24 hour walkout over pay and conditions . walkout over pay and conditions. the action started earlier this week. it will continue on monday, while a ban on overtime will last until tuesday , so will last until tuesday, so football attending league football fans attending league games across the country will be among those affected. aslef says drivers haven't had a pay rise for almost five years. the government, however , is urging government, however, is urging the union to accept an offer made last year and a senior conservative mp will stand down at the next general election for family reasons. sir bob neill served as a member of parliament since 2006, and was a junior minister in the coalition government under david cameron .

government under david cameron. he joins a series of mps who have announced they won't contest the next election, which is expected to be held autumn is expected to be held in autumn . if you want the latest on our story, sign up to gb news alerts . you can do that by scanning the show qr code on your screen or by following the details. there gb news. com slash alerts. now it's back to dawn . thank you now it's back to dawn. thank you very much aaron. >> now let's get straight into today's story, shall we. the us military launched air strikes in iraq and syria yesterday, hitting more than 85 iranian targets . that's as president joe targets. that's as president joe biden claims. these strikes are just beginning as he faces what is considered to be the most dangerous days of his presidency. this all comes after a deadly drone attack in jordan that killed three us troops and injured 40 others. um again, not good news from that area , is it? good news from that area, is it? joining me now is gb news senior

political commentator, nigel nelson, to explain exactly what has happened and what it means closely. nigel thank you very much for joining closely. nigel thank you very much forjoining us this much for joining us this afternoon. uh, nigel. so we have more attacks. this is in reality , retaliation for the death of the three serving american officers. can you bring us up to date on what exactly is happening ? happening? >> yes. i mean, the americans dropped 125 bombs yesterday . and dropped 125 bombs yesterday. and what they're targeting is a group called the islamic resistance in iraq, which is a kind of consortium of iran backed militias . us. uh, they're backed militias. us. uh, they're the ones who claim responsibility for the attack that killed three american servicemen . uh, and, uh, they servicemen. uh, and, uh, they they were a group that we know we don't know that much about them. as i say, it looks like it's of groups, it's a combination of groups, but they emerged late last year after the war in gaza started. so everything is actually linked at the moment.

>> but unlike the houthi strikes, after they were attacking the ships in the red sea, this is just the american acting independently. we have no physical part of this , although physical part of this, although we have backed the action. >> yes. that's right . we have backed the action. >> yes. that's right. um, because it was it was american soldiers who were killed and not british ones. there's no reason why we should be directly involved here. the i mean, the americans have been fighting this kind of, um, on off war for ages that they've got, uh, around 2500 troops in the area . around 2500 troops in the area. and the reason they're there is to try and stop a resurgence of islamic state. uh, they've been attacked a number of times over the last few months. i think it's about 160 attacks by, uh, these iran backed militia guys. and now that they that they've actually lost some, some soldiers, they're going to strike back . sukh this won't be strike back. sukh this won't be the last we see of it. there will probably be more air strikes over the coming days. the important thing is that they

keep a sense of proportionality and not let this conflict escalate , that this is what, um , escalate, that this is what, um, leaders in the area, the qatari pm in particular, has said that this this could spill over and under mine. >> what little regional security there is in the area . how much there is in the area. how much of a danger do you think it is, nigel, that this will escalate ? nigel, that this will escalate? >> but i think the biggest danger always is that , um, danger always is that, um, things that are take off by accident . and at the moment accident. and at the moment we're fighting sort of two, two major wars at the moment. we're fighting sort of two, two major wars at the moment . one we're fighting sort of two, two major wars at the moment. one in gaza, uh, one in ukraine, when all it needs, for instance, is for some um, uh, russian contingent , contingent of contingent, contingent of russian troops to cross over into a nato country and that would escalate there. so accidents do happen . um, that's accidents do happen. um, that's why it's really important that the planning for these things is right . and the warnings are right. and the warnings are given beforehand . given beforehand. >> yeah, absolutely. and the national security council, uh, john in america said we

john kirby in america said we don't want war with iran . we don't want war with iran. we don't want war with iran. we don't want war with iran. we don't want wider war in the region . but got do what region. but we've got to do what we've to um, we've got to do. um, very american phrasing there. what do you make of what he said about it? well i think that that neither side wants war. >> i mean, certainly iran doesn't want a war either. they're they're they're certainly they're pushing the envelope as far as they . uh, but last they can go. uh, but the last thing iran wants to end up thing iran wants is to end up like iraq. so they know if like iraq. so they know that if there conflict , there was a full scale conflict, they would losing it. but they would end up losing it. but um, all sides lose on things like that. so i think generally speaking , all sides don't want speaking, all sides don't want it escalate . but, um, but it to escalate. but, um, but there's always a danger it might i >> -- >> okay. and just one other story. i wanted to talk to you about on a on a slightly less serious note, nigel, this is a rishi sunak up close tonight on itv. it was. it went out on itv on thursday and i'm just curious, one line from this called mike caught my eye. uh, rishi revealed that his mum wanted him and his two siblings to fit in and not have accents. what do you make about what he

said there? >> i thought that i thought that was quite funny, but. but obviously times have changed a bit , um, bear in mind that bit that, um, bear in mind that rishi to one of our rishi sunak went to one of our top schools , which was, top public schools, which was, uh, i'm sure he did want to fit in. and if had slight in. and if he had a slight accent that probably wouldn't help think times have help him. i think times have changed, which is the point the prime minister making in that prime minister is making in that interview um, regional interview that, um, now regional accents are celebrated. we no longer all have to speak in some kind of stilted bbc english. >> yeah. and he also said he thinks most of the conservative party are behind him in his rwanda bill. does it rwanda policy bill. um, does it matter accent he says matter what accent he says that and h? matter what accent he says that ancwhat it? matter what accent he says that ancwhat do you think about that? >> what do you think about that? >> what do you think about that? >> well , you >> what do you think about that? >> well, you carry saying it. >> well, you carry on saying it. >> well, you carry on saying it. >> mean , he's >> i mean, i mean, he's obviously got to pretend everything no everything is fine. there's no rebellion . his his, um, rebellion. his his, um, premiership is safe. none of which is true . the conservative which is true. the conservative party are hopelessly divided . party are hopelessly divided. and, uh, and of course, divided parties won't win elections. he knows that . that's why he's knows that. that's why he's saying what he does . saying what he does. >> yeah, thank you very >> yeah, indeed. thank you very much . that's, nelson,

much. that's, uh, nigel nelson, gb news, senior political commentator. there thank you very much for joining commentator. there thank you very much forjoining us commentator. there thank you very much for joining us this afternoon, very much for joining us this afterkeeping me company in the also keeping me company in the studio right now is political commentator matthew stadlen . and commentator matthew stadlen. and gb news, of the saturday gb news, host of the saturday five albie amankona coming up later, i believe. thank you very much for joining later, i believe. thank you very much forjoining me, gentlemen . much forjoining me, gentlemen. what again of what's what do you make again of what's happenedin what do you make again of what's happened in the middle east overnight? going to come to you first on this one, matthew. >> well, what surprised is >> well, what surprised me is iraq's response because a spokesman for the iraqi prime minister said that the strikes by america against iraq or iran, iraq , the strikes by america iraq, the strikes by america against iranian militias or iranian targets within iraq was a violation of iraq's sovereignty. >> now, this gets quite confusing, but there are iranian supported militias within in iraq, and apparently there are two reasons for them being there. one is to try to ensure that baghdad doesn't turn hostile to iran in the way that it did when there was that

terrible conflict in the 1980s. and another is to try and chase out any remaining american presence in the middle east, iraq has come out against these strikes , as i say, and this strikes, as i say, and this shows that america really means what it says when it says and warns. these strikes will continue at times and places of our choosing, and that will be seen by some in the region as deeply arrogant obe. >> they are very, very targeted strikes , aren't they? though strikes, aren't they? though they are targeting the installation , these, these, installation, these, these, these militia to have rather than general population and just random targeting. >> they are very targeted strikes. >> but i would imagine there'll be a lot of viewers and listeners at home just thinking, goodness gracious me. >> another act of violence in in the middle east. >> and they'll be worrying about, well, what does this mean next? where end? next? where does it end? >> does constant . >> where does this constant. >> where does this constant. >> well, if you strike first, we

strike . strike back. >> where does that lead to in the end? i think war between iran and the us is probably quite unlikely. not many people want war america singers. >> it's the main superpower. but i'm are i'm sure lots of people are quite where quite concerned about where the situation could escalate. >> matthew a bit >> the problem is, matthew a bit like israel—gaza situation like the israel—gaza situation that started this awful mess on october the 7th? what america meant to do, they lost three of their soldiers and actually you say their names out because they're not sergeant william say their names out because they're specialistant william say their names out because they're specialist brianna am rivers, specialist brianna moffat and specialist kennedy sanders, three young men who lost their lives in in that attack. so what are america meant to do when they're seeing their lads coming home in coffins draped with the stars and stripes flags? what are they meant to do? >> and wasn't those >> and it wasn't just those three 40 or 41 three deaths, but 40 or 41 americans were very badly injured these attacks . there injured in these attacks. there are there is an issue here, and thatis are there is an issue here, and that is america is in a bit of a bind. if it wants to respond. and in principle, i absolutely support its capacity to and its willingness to respond. you

can't give to in bullies, but it clearly doesn't want to attack iranian soil, because that really would be a very serious escalation . escalation. >> right? >> right? >> so what it has done , as we've >> so what it has done, as we've discussed is attack the iranian targets. but within in another sovereign country , and iraq is sovereign country, and iraq is not happy. and they say iraq, that some civilians have been killed as well. now in terms of the scale of these attacks, america did give advance warning. i mean , the attacks on warning. i mean, the attacks on the americans happened sort of about a week ago, didn't they, when those three soldiers. >> yes, it was a week ago. >> yeah. >> yeah. >> so partly it was sort because they wanted the bad they wanted to avoid the bad weather more weather so they could be more precise in their strikes. but partly was that partly i think it was so that they would hit and punish iran. but at the same time not be so hard that it risked further escalation . it's a tricky escalation. it's a tricky situation . i can't support situation. i can't support america striking in iraq when iraq hasn't given its permission. but i understand

their desire for retaliation. >> and as you said, albee, i mean, many people watching and listening today will be worried. i mean, this is another escalation. this is this is this is something that once you start this, what's your end game? >> do just want to come back >> i do just want to come back to something that said . to something that matthew said. you against america you said you're against america striking in iraq because it's against iraq's sovereignty. essentially but if iran has proxies , forces in iraq, if iran proxies, forces in iraq, if iran has proxies in gaza, if iran has proxies across the middle east, and they're attacking american bases and american personnel, what do you expect them to do? i suppose it's a question of the extent to which iraq is tolerating those iranian proxies within its own territory. >> if there is a sense that these iranian militias , these these iranian militias, these these iranian militias, these these iranian militias, these these iranian proxies are tolerated by the by by the iraqi government, then i think that probably is reasonable. i think that's a good point that you raise as far as escalation is concerned . it is a worrying concerned. it is a worrying time. but let's remember that an

american soldier was killed, an american soldier was killed, an american serviceman was killed about a year ago. and america did retaliate with strikes against iranian forces or iranian targets within syria. so this is not new. it's just that it's coming together in the context of what's happening in gaza. what happened on october 7, what's happening in the red sea, what's happening with the houthi rebels and therefore our focus is much more laser like on the and these this sort the region. and these this sort of escalation worries us more as a consequence . a consequence. >> well, it is particularly scary times. and obviously our prime minister has given the backing to america, but he has also got a lot on his plate domestically . and i don't know domestically. and i don't know if you saw it. albee, the documentary , he rishi sunak up documentary, he rishi sunak up close on itv, where one of the interesting lines i felt was that he said that his mum, who was a chemist in bristol, wanted us to fit in and not have accents. what do you make about that now? >> i think the accent she would

have been talking about, because i believe rishi sunak's parents are first generation immigrants. they yeah i think what his they are. yeah i think what his parents would have wanted for rishi and indeed his siblings were for them not to sound foreign. so i don't think this is a matter of they didn't want him sound northern. well, him to sound northern. well, they grew up in southampton, so. so they were so what was the accent they were going so i think this going to have? so i think this was actually more that they going to have? so i think this was a(want/ more that they going to have? so i think this was a(want theire that they going to have? so i think this was a(want their children ey going to have? so i think this was a(want their children to didn't want their children to sound them. wanted sound like them. they wanted their sound english, their children to sound english, and that actually something and that was actually something which common in the which was very common in the past, 50 ago. so past, maybe 40, 50 years ago. so so i think as well it does actually show how far we have come as a society. there are mps in parliament who have foreign accents and it no one particularly cares. rishi sunak also talks about the racism , um, also talks about the racism, um, that he faced as a child , and he that he faced as a child, and he doesn't. he doesn't often speak about his race or racism at all, and he speaks about the fact that he never dreamed that there would minority would be an ethnic minority prime and he is, prime minister and there he is, the ethnic prime the first ethnic minority prime minister so the country has moved a long way , but there's

moved a long way, but there's still ground to cover . still ground to cover. >> yeah. and matthew, when you think does think about it, it does sound incredibly know , as incredibly racist. you know, as albert pointed out, we have moved does moved on. thankfully but it does sound incredibly race ist that you have to talk the queen's english. if you have an asian accent caribbean accent . i accent or a caribbean accent. i mean thankfully have moved on, but , was racist but well, it it was a racist attitude, wasn't it? >> i'm not rishi sunak its biggest fan. all the tory government do surprise me, but i have obviously total sympathy for both him and his parents on this one. and just a very quick personal anecdote. my uncle was on the underground when he was about years old in the early about two years old in the early 19505 about two years old in the early 1950s with my great grandmother. his grandmother, and was his grandmother, and she was talking german to him because they jewish refugees . she's they were jewish refugees. she's from in vienna , and an from hitler in vienna, and an engush from hitler in vienna, and an english gentleman said to my great grandmother, he's in england now. you should be speaking english to him. and actually, i think that my family are grateful that are very grateful for that because , like everyone because, like almost everyone who this country as who comes to this country as refugees immigrants, do refugees or immigrants, you do sort fit in. and we sort of want to fit in. and we do have we do have some issues

where some people want to where some people don't want to fit understand where fit in. so i understand where rishi sunak parents were coming fit in. so i understand where rishi butak parents were coming fit in. so i understand where rishi but i: parents were coming fit in. so i understand where rishi but i alsoents were coming fit in. so i understand where rishi but i also have/ere coming fit in. so i understand where rishi but i also have a'e coming fit in. so i understand where rishi but i also have a lotoming fit in. so i understand where rishi but i also have a lot ofing from, but i also have a lot of empathy and sympathy for him and for if they felt that they for them. if they felt that they were targets of racism were the targets of racism because there's no place for it. and the way, say we've and by the way, you say we've moved felt were moving and by the way, you say we've moasd felt were moving and by the way, you say we've moas a felt were moving and by the way, you say we've moas a society, were moving and by the way, you say we've moas a society, but were moving and by the way, you say we've moas a society, but actually»ving on as a society, but actually racism seeping out in racism is sort of seeping out in the cracks in all sorts of different manifestations in what sense do you think that? i think the rhetoric against asylum seekers is hugely divisive . and seekers is hugely divisive. and actually it was rishi sunak's own home secretary at the time, suella braverman, who talked about invasion. it's about an invasion. it's very, very hostile language that doesn't mean we don't have to have a robust system of asylum and robust system of and a robust system of immigration, but the immigration, but it's the language that is used that i think really targets minorities. >> okay, so we're coming back, albie, to that old argument that you are racist. if you are concerned about the people that are coming to this that are coming to this country, that is just not true and that is not the position of the labour party ehhen >> matthew . everyone wants to >> matthew. everyone wants to stop boats . i think

stop the boats. i think where the disagreement is on how the disagreement is, is on how we them. now. the we stop them. now. the conservative party is committed to the rwanda plan . we don't to the rwanda plan. we don't know not it will know whether or not it will work. the labour party doesn't have not have a plan at all. it's not racist to care about who is coming into the country and wanting to know who's coming into the country, so that they're criminals who throw they're not criminals who throw corrosive substances at people. >> but that's not what i said. i said it's absolutely fine in my view. it'sjust said it's absolutely fine in my view. it's just my opinion to want a robust system on immigration and a robust system on asylum. and we don't have either of those things at the moment. but the language that we use to talk about this really matters . and if we talk about an matters. and if we talk about an invasion and we talk about military age men that is creating an environment of hostility against minorities. >> you're talking about suella braverman. she's not the home secretary anymore. she was and she was. i just said, she's not the home secretary anymore. so who is now ? now, today? who who is it now? now, today? who is spreading this evil rhetoric in the conservative party?

>> well, i've just explained that it was suella braverman while she was rishi sunaks choice to be home secretary, who used that language . that was used that language. that was about year ago. it's still the about a year ago. it's still the same government. and i, for one, want them to account want to hold them to account for that. next election. want to hold them to account for tha so next election. want to hold them to account for tha so you next election. want to hold them to account for tha so you feelext election. want to hold them to account for tha so you feel that lection. want to hold them to account for tha so you feel that theion. want to hold them to account for tha so you feel that the home >> so you feel that the home office and the language of home secretaries is driving racism in the uk , even though we have a the uk, even though we have a mixed race black and white home secretary now . and we had a we secretary now. and we had a we had a south asian home secretary. do you seriously telling me, albie, you telling me, albie, are you saying suella braverman me saying that suella braverman me that when a racist are you seriously telling me that when barack obama was president of the united states , that racism the united states, that racism disappeared in america ? disappeared in america? >> of course it didn't. that's not what i was saying. >> your argument was that suella braverman driving racism, braverman was driving racism, and i don't think she was . braverman was driving racism, and i don't think she was. i'm not a fan of suella braverman by the way, i don't think you the way, but i don't think you could her a racist. could call her a racist. >> and unfortunately, gentlemen, we to we have to finish that. used to are team together . are such a good team together. um, agree. but in a in a polite way, i think. now for all the

best analysis and opinion on that story, much even that story, and much more even better than these pair, to better than these pair, go to our website gbnews.com now we move on. the manhunt continues for a suspected chemical attacker, with police saying they found containers with corrosive warnings during a newcastle raid. a new image has been released of abdul azizi, who was last seen at london's king cross underground station on wednesday evening. you can see it there now on your screens . joining me now is former scotland yard detective peter bleksley peter. thank you so much for joining bleksley peter. thank you so much forjoining me this much for joining me this afternoon. peter the question on everyone's lips is this man has got a serious facial injury. how is he still at large? why have we not found him? >> well , i we not found him? >> well, i think we. what? what we need to remember here is that as he came into the uk by concealing himself in the back of a lorry, having come

originally from afghanistan . so originally from afghanistan. so in all likelihood he probably passed through many other countries on his way here. and consequently he's got quite a bit of exposure science of hiding himself away, particularly from authorities. so this is not his first experience of not wanting to be found. he's also got a fairly recent criminal conviction, so he's no stranger to the criminal justice system and therefore where he possibly has a network. we know that the police have recently searched five properties in connection with him, so he has contacts , he has him, so he has contacts, he has connections and the question for me is, is somebody he foolishly and illegally harbouring him, helping him and keeping him hidden from the police ? hidden from the police? >> peter, you say he you know, he smuggled himself into this country, but we have seen many, many cctv footages of him now going to a tesco, quite openly wandering around the london

underground. so he's initially he wasn't hiding himself was he. >> well, these images were both taken fairly soon after the corrosive substance was thrown over the woman and children and others in clapham. the image that was first produced from tesco was only about an hour after the attack, and this image from king's cross railway station is about an hour and a half after the attack. so it's quite possible that he was contemplating where to go, perhaps was fairly short on opfions perhaps was fairly short on options at that point . and of options at that point. and of course the caledonian road and king's cross underground station are pretty close to one another, although , so of course we have although, so of course we have no sightings later than wednesday evening, so that's a concern . we're heading towards concern. we're heading towards three days this evening, concern. we're heading towards three days this evening , three three days this evening, three whole days and nights , you know, whole days and nights, you know, recent images and it would appear no recent sightings. >> peter, the one thing i'm concerned about obviously as a

woman, i found this particularly harrowing, this attack and the fact that he was a convicted sex attacker asylum . but attacker and granted asylum. but why didn't they release a description of the person? the police didn't release a description of the man they wanted straight away . they knew wanted straight away. they knew what he looked like. i mean, i hate to say this, but were they afraid inflaming some sort of afraid of inflaming some sort of racial or anti—migrant tensions ? racial or anti—migrant tensions? >> well, first of all, you don't have to be a woman exclusively to be utterly appalled that this sex offending piece of criminal dross was on the streets of the uk and also to be deeply concerned for the victims of this crime . and i'm sure this crime. and i'm sure millions of us are both male and female and those who identify as non—binary . we are all concerned non—binary. we are all concerned by this . in peter, however, the by this. in peter, however, the question would have to be for the police as to why there was a delay in releasing information. um fortunately, commander saville , who held the press saville, who held the press conference yesterday following recent trends of these media announcements, was not answering

any questions. >> and just finally, we are running out of time. peter, if i'm very quick question, i watched the appeal, um, for , for watched the appeal, um, for, for um, um, this this i'm not going to even use his name anymore because i just can't this this scumbag hand in. but scumbag to hand himself in. but the language, this is someone who's just tipped acid or a corrosive substance or burnt a woman's and thrown a woman's face off and thrown a child the floor, the language child on the floor, the language was can you please was like, oh, can you please hand yourself in? what did you make of that? a former met detective? >> well, that was nearly 24 hours and hs2 remains at hours ago. and hs2 remains at large. so i think we can quite conclusively that that conclusively say that that appeal fell on deaf ears. exactly >> thank you very much. that's peter bleksley former met detective. they're talking about about abdul ezedi, who is still on the run three days later, despite having a severe facial injury. uh, now you are watching and listening to gb news saturday with me. dawn neesom. and lots more coming up on today's show in including taylor swift is the billionaire singer songwriter involved in a plot to

block donald trump's path to the white house? not even i could make this up as a tabloid journalist. well, trump supporters seem to think that is the case. all of that, and much more come. i'm neesom more to come. i'm dawn neesom and you're watching and listening britain's listening to gb news britain's news the people's channel,

britain's news channel . 2024, britain's news channel. 2024, a battleground year the year the nafion battleground year the year the nation decides as the parties gear up their campaigns for the next general election. >> who will be left standing when the british people make one

of the biggest decisions of their lives? >> who rise and who will >> who will rise and who will fall? >> let's m- fall? >> let's out together for >> let's find out together for every . every moment. >> the highs, the lows, the twists and turns. >> we'll be with you for every step of this journey in 2024 gb news is britain's election . channel >> welcome back to gb news saturday with me dawn neesom on your tv, online and on digital radio are in just a moment time and fury's undisputed heavyweight title fight against oleksandr usyk has been postponed after the briton sustained a freak cut in training. >> i've seen the picture , it's >> i've seen the picture, it's horrid and do get in touch . send horrid and do get in touch. send me your thoughts by emailing us at gb views at gb news. com or message me on our socials. we're at gb news but let's get the news headlines first with aaron armstrong .

armstrong. >> hi there it is. 1232 i'm aaron armstrong in the gb newsroom in the uk, says it remains a steadfast ally of the united states after washington struck dozens of targets in the middle . east and nearly 40 middle. east and nearly 40 people died, including civilians. when 85 targets were struck in syria and iraq. the action was in response to a drone attack on a us military base last weekend that killed three soldiers, the government says it supports washington's right to respond to attacks from militant groups linked . to iran . militant groups linked. to iran. iran has condemned the us air strikes as violations of its sovereignty . iraq strikes as violations of its sovereignty. iraq has strikes as violations of its sovereignty . iraq has warned sovereignty. iraq has warned that they will have disastrous consequences for the region . the consequences for the region. the northern ireland assembly is meeting for the first time in two years, with power sharing set be restored following set to be restored following a boycott by the dup over post—brexit trade arrangements. sinn fein's michelle o'neill

will make history when she becomes the country's first nationalist first minister. it's being described as a landmark nationalist first minister. it's being deforbed as a landmark nationalist first minister. it's being defor aed as a landmark nationalist first minister. it's being defor a partya landmark nationalist first minister. it's being de for a party thatdmark nationalist first minister. it's being defor a party that aspires moment for a party that aspires to one day unite with the repubuc to one day unite with the republic ireland as one republic of ireland as one country. the dup is yet to confirm be its deputy confirm who will be its deputy first minister, a role that carries equal legal power there. the largest unionist party. so they get to nominate the two roles, though they have equal power and cannot exist without the other . a power and cannot exist without the other. a manhunt is still underway for a suspected chemical attacker, abdul azadi, who has significant injuries on the right hand side of his face, was last seen at london's kings cross station on wednesday night. a 31 year old mother, who was attacked with a corrosive substance remains hospital. substance remains in hospital. her were her two young daughters were also hurt , but not as badly as also hurt, but not as badly as first thought. the train driver strike is again hitting parts of the country. members of aslef at avanti west coast east midlands and west midlands railway are staging a 24 hour walkout over pay staging a 24 hour walkout over pay and conditions. the staging a 24 hour walkout over pay and conditions . the action pay and conditions. the action started earlier this week and will continue on monday, while a

ban on overtime will last until tuesday . and you can sign up to tuesday. and you can sign up to the latest alerts for all of our stories on gb news, and scan the qr code on your screen . or you qr code on your screen. or you can go to gb news. com slash alerts. that's it. now back to dawn . dawn. >> thank you aaron, and welcome back to gb news thatcherite beth mead dawn neesom on your tv onune mead dawn neesom on your tv online and on digital radio. now johnny irwin, who hosted property shows, escaped to the country and a place in the sun , country and a place in the sun, has died at the age of 53. he was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2020 after the disease had spread from his lungs to his brain, a statement posted on the presenter's instagram account paid tribute to his kindness, warmth and infectious spirit . warmth and infectious spirit. joining me now is showbiz reporter hayley palmer . um, reporter hayley palmer. um, hayley, you normally join us with such happy, lovely , fun with such happy, lovely, fun showbiz stories. unfortunately

we, uh, we're talking about and paying we, uh, we're talking about and paying tribute to johnny today . paying tribute to johnny today. so can you tell us more about this very, very sad story ? this very, very sad story? >> it is completely sad news and he was definitely one of my favourite presenters . favourite presenters. >> uh, on place in the sun and of course, escape to the country and, uh, i saw his last instagram post on where, um, he said that he hadn't slept for six nights and he was waiting for his mri scan. >> you can only just wish >> and you can only just wish that he's out of pain now . that he's out of pain now. >> course, it's very >> and of course, it's very devastating for his lovely wife and children . and his children. >> an and i thought it was lovely that they had their last christmas and they made it a really christmas , uh, together. >> but it was announced yesterday his instagram. it's yesterday on his instagram. it's with that we share with heavy hearts that we share the passing, the news of johnny's passing, a truly remarkable soul. he fought bravely against cancer with unwavering strength and courage, and he really did. i mean, he kept it quiet , first of all, kept it quiet, first of all, because he was diagnosed with lung cancer in a couple of years ago now. that's right. and he

was driving he was filming out in italy and he was driving. and his really his vision became really blurred. it obviously it was blurred. so it obviously it was a cause for concern. so he flew back to the uk, went to get it seen. and then he had the devastating he'd devastating news that he'd had lung cancer , but it travelled up lung cancer, but it travelled up to his brain . so it was, you to his brain. so it was, you know, out of control. >> but it's just so sad. >> but it's just so sad. >> and they have three children, including twins. that's twins, i know, and i saw that actually he said that , um, his last words said that, um, his last words before he died was that he gives his blessing to his wife to remarry , which is honestly, it's remarry, which is honestly, it's just it's just heartbreaking, isn't it ? 50 is absolutely no isn't it? 50 is absolutely no age, is it? i mean , i'm a big age, is it? i mean, i'm a big fan. the thing he was very , very fan. the thing he was very, very honest. and when he was presenting the in the sun , presenting the place in the sun, wasn't he? i remember him snapping at one couple who were just quite wasting their just quite clearly wasting their time, just wanted bit of a time, just wanted a bit of a freebie. wasting freebie. he goes, am i wasting my showing you this house? my time showing you this house? and it's like, because everyone was cheeky, was watching that going, cheeky, come absolutely. was watching that going, cheeky, con they're bsolutely. was watching that going, cheeky, con they're taking ly. was watching that going, cheeky, con they're taking the so >> they're taking the mickey. so at was very with

at least was very honest with you. and not the only sad you. yeah. and not the only sad loss to talk about as loss we have to talk about as well. um, carl weathers from the rocky , absolute legend. rocky movie, absolute legend. >> mean , his career was like >> i mean, his career was like 50 years in hollywood, and i've just been reading all over twitter today. everyone's just like, what complete legend. twitter today. everyone's just like,hisat complete legend. twitter today. everyone's just like,his at c�*film ete legend. twitter today. everyone's just like,hisat c�*film creditsend. and his other film credits include the predator with arnold schwarzenegger and adam sandler's happy gilmore. uh, his family said he was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life. he was a beloved brother, father, grandfather , partner and friend . grandfather, partner and friend. and also i saw schwarzenegger. he wrote on twitter. carl weathers will always be a legend and an extraordinary athlete, a fantastic actor and great person. but, you know, he's a great career and we can celebrate that. of course. >> but i mean, again, 76, no age but . scene from rocky, but iconic. scene from rocky, isn't it, where him and sylvester stallone are running down the beach together and it's like, you know, the seagulls taking it's just it's just taking off. it's just it's just one those in rocky one of those scenes in rocky that stays you. so that really stays with you. so obviously with um, that really stays with you. so obvfamily with um, that really stays with you. so obvfamily well. with um, that really stays with you. so obvfamily well. um, um, that really stays with you. so obvfamily well. um, and um, his family as well. um, and finally , it's a hat trick of sad

finally, it's a hat trick of sad stories this morning, isn't it? um derek draper, it was his funeral yesterday, and he was just 56. >> so, i mean, i've really followed the story of this , and followed the story of this, and it is so devastating for kate garraway. she has been so incredibly brave. um, again, it's one of those stories you just find hard to read because you really feel for her. kate and her family , of course. um, and her family, of course. um, at the funeral yesterday, i saw sir elton john and tony blair are in attendance , and i saw the are in attendance, and i saw the scenes on tv and it looked very sad. i think her daughter was helping, carrying the coffin absolutely . absolutely. >> yeah. and kate and the two children and children were there and obviously with them. and because derek worked for the labour party as well, it was a combination great and the combination of the great and the good some um, from , good in some cases, um, from, um, politics and from showbiz as well. so he had a, you know, despite sort of like, you know, being very story and kate being very sad story and kate being very sad story and kate being brave, was it was being very brave, it was it was a off wasn't it. a good send off wasn't it. >> it absolutely was. >> yeah. it absolutely was. >> yeah. it absolutely was. >> and our thoughts go out to her family. of course. absolutely. yeah. fine. >> palmer, thank you very >> haley palmer, thank you very

much i'm much forjoining us. and i'm sorry such stories sorry there are such sad stories , have , but, um, hopefully we'll have some ones. um, now, lots some happier ones. um, now, lots of you have sending in your of you have been sending in your thoughts show is thoughts because this show is all about you. so please do keep them coming in lots , lots of them coming in lots, lots of messages on the us attack in the middle east. um, alan says , it middle east. um, alan says, it appears to me that president biden's confusion includes the location of his heart greeting . location of his heart greeting. repatriation of the three deceased soldiers and all that's left hand was on the right side of chest. admit, i of his chest. i must admit, i was looking at the coffins rather than biden, to be honest with uh, meanwhile, while a with you. uh, meanwhile, while a derek the us is illegally derek says the us is illegally occupying a large areas of syria and iraq , why can't the and iraq, why can't the countries defend themselves against a criminal like americans? israel is allowed to. okay, well, i mean, lots of strong opinion here. and one here on the manhunt for the, uh, chemical attacker . here on the manhunt for the, uh, chemical attacker. um, here on the manhunt for the, uh, chemical attacker . um, pete says chemical attacker. um, pete says ihope chemical attacker. um, pete says i hope he stays un caught for these reasons. interesting. this one. it will show the continuing

competence of the police . the competence of the police. the continuing silence from mps is deafening. no one will report the suspect for fear of being arrested themselves for describing him. i hate politicians . they must realise politicians. they must realise what they have done to us and this country . wow. okay. strong this country. wow. okay. strong opinions there but keep them coming in. this is all about you . this show gb views at gb news is very simple now. okay some good news. time for the great british giveaway and you could win £8,000 in total tax free cash to be spent. however you like. thanks for the chance to make it yours. i'm not allowed to enter, unfortunately. well, here's it. here's how you do it. >> we wanted ten, 20, 24 into 2020. more with your chance to win £18,000 in cash to spend. however you like. you really could be the next big winner of our great british giveaway. phil from west yorkshire won our last one. listen to his reaction when we gave him the news. i never won a penny in my life. >> well congrats nations, you've won £10,000! >> well congrats nations, you've woroh 0,000!

>> well congrats nations, you've woroh my)0! >> well congrats nations, you've woroh my god. >> oh my god. >> oh my god. >> wow for your chance to win £18,000 in tax free cash. ten gb win to 84 902. text cost £2 plus one standard network rate message or post your name and to number gb zero two, po box 8690. derby . de192, uk only entrants derby. de192, uk only entrants must be 18 or over. lines closed at 5 pm. on friday. the 23rd of february. full terms and privacy nofice february. full terms and privacy notice at gbnews.com. forward slash win good luck . slash win good luck. >> oh, that sounds good doesn't it ? it? >> right i'm not allowed to enter, but good luck to you. you're listening to you're watching and listening to gb thatcherite with me. gb news thatcherite with me. dawn more coming up dawn neesom lots more coming up on show. uh, this story on today's show. uh, this story is amazing. is the billionaire sing a songwriter taylor swift involved in a cunning plot to block donald trump's path to the white house? well, his supporters seem to think so . um, supporters seem to think so. um, you don't want to miss this one. all of that and much more to come. watching and

come. you're watching and listening to gb news, britain's news channel

sunday mornings from 930 on gb news who's . welcome news who's. welcome. back to gb news who's. welcome. back to gb news saturday with me. >> dawn neesom on your tv, onune >> dawn neesom on your tv, online and on digital radio. now now, you'd be forgiven to think that this next story isn't a blockbuster or hollywood film. so do bear with me. i not even i could make this up. i've been a

tabloid journalist for nearly 40 years. supporters of donald trump are claiming that there is a secret plot by singer songwriter taylor swift that taylor swift to use the super bowl , which taylor swift to use the super bowl, which is a week on sunday. i think , um, to re—elect joe i think, um, to re—elect joe biden. told you it was a movie , biden. told you it was a movie, didn't i? joining me now is the very, very serious and very lovely us political analyst eric hamm. eric what's your favourite taylor swift song ? sorry uh , i taylor swift song? sorry uh, i hopei taylor swift song? sorry uh, i hope i don't get slaughtered for this, but i've actually never heard taylor swift actually sing so i could not actually name a song of hers . song of hers. >> oh my god, that is absolute sacrilege. >> you will absolutely get i'm sorry, i'm more of a temptations quy- sorry, i'm more of a temptations guy. uh, i'm with you, eric, on that one. right, eric? okay. what is this story about? so, taylor swift conspiracy theory to get donald trump or keep donald trump out of the white house? i'm not making this up. this real. this is real. >> no, but actually , we are

>> no, but actually, we are seeing a lot of pushback. in fact, here in the united states , fact, here in the united states, there are a lot of thoughts. in fact, rumblings that donald trump is also beginning to go after taylor swift and the thinking is that because taylor swift, we know, has done a lot of voter registration at her concerts where she has registered tens of thousands of people to actually vote, there's growing concern that she could actually become more active and engagedin actually become more active and engaged in this upcoming election. and of course, with her massive following, affectionately known as swifties, there's a thinking that if she does in fact get involved, that will certainly put her her her thumb on the scale for one of these two candidates. and for some reason, the trump team thinks that it would be for joe the trump team thinks that it would be forjoe biden . but would be forjoe biden. but taylor swift has been has been very quiet and hasn't said anything about what is happening. in fact, what we're seeing so much of taylor swift is actually at these football

games where she's there supporting her boyfriend , who supporting her boyfriend, who now, of course, we know will be playing in the super bowl right over here. >> the i'm trying to keep up with this. obviously they're obsessed with the climax of american football, which is a super bowl, which is a week on sunday. um, is rigged to ensure that taylor swift's boyfriend travis kelce is that right, is on the winning team . eric, you on the winning team. eric, you know it . know it. >> no. you know it's interesting because just just as i was coming on i saw the story that you all were doing about carl weathers , who unexpectedly weathers, who unexpectedly passed and of course, you've got these two iconic characters , uh, these two iconic characters, uh, apollo creed and rocky balboa. and it seems like that's what's shaping up to take place now, where you have taylor swift versus donald trump. >> these two massive names, very loyal and huge followings . and loyal and huge followings. and it looks like we're going to have a clash of the ages. >> but right now it looks like it's more donald trump and his supporters provoking taylor

swift. and it's unclear how this is going to play out. this is eric. >> i thought our politics were mad, but you really every time i talk to you, every time i talk to you, really you play to you, you really you play a trump card, don't you? i mean , trump card, don't you? i mean, thank and i, i really want thank you. and i, i really want you next time we talk to you to be able to sing an entire taylor swift song. >> oh, my god, eric, thank you very much for joining >> oh, my god, eric, thank you very much forjoining me. >> that's our us political analyst, eric. thank you. on on taylor swift versus donald trump. and i'm actually not making this up. uh, now. um, a tiktok honestly lets move on to some sports, shall we? uh, tyson fury is undisputed heavyweight title against oleksandr usyk has been postponed after the briton faced a freak cut in training. now we're not going to show you the cut, are we know because it's a bit nasty. uh, the bout will now be delayed with the new day at present camp have day unknown at present camp have said there have been left said that there have been left with the impression it could be

several months fury is several months before fury is ready to reschedule . joining me ready to reschedule. joining me now, thankfully, is our lovely sports reporter , um aidan magee sports reporter, um aidan magee to explain what's going on here. aidan what's going on? >> well, first of all, dawn, it's, uh. excuse good it's, uh. excuse me. good afternoon. the way. afternoon. by the way. >> good afternoon. >> good afternoon. >> it's a blow >> aidan, it's a huge blow for boxing. it's had a, i was going to say difficult couple of to say a difficult couple of years. i'd go as far as to say devastating now, because this is this huge. because i'm this is huge. because i'm not convinced my phone convinced that this is my phone going up to the minute going now up to the minute updates, pacemaker. >> yeah, >> actually not uh, it's yeah, it's devastating blow because it's a devastating blow because it's a devastating blow because it's some couple of years. it's added some couple of years. >> , it's had the vacuum >> uh, it's had the vacuum filled with his absence of big fights by by stuff that isn't even boxing. francis ngannou carnau, who's facing anthony joshua later this year, isn't even boxer . joshua later this year, isn't even boxer. he's ranked number even a boxer. he's ranked number 10 in the world. fight 10 in the world. so this fight needed happen. was needed to happen. there was sparring on. there were sparring going on. there were rumours tyson rumours in the week that tyson fury had actually been dropped in sparring, his camp had in in sparring, and his camp had to that. i don't know to deny that. i don't know whether has happened whether this has happened from that told, we that incident. we were told, we

were the camp that were told from the camp that it's a bit of a freak accident, but nonetheless, not but nonetheless, this cut is not just it's very, just any cut, it's on a very, very part. very delicate part. >> . we're not >> the picture. we're not showing because fairly showing it because it is fairly known. this morning. >> we showed it this morning briefly you, some briefly a few of you, some viewers have it, viewers will have seen it, but it's for faint hearted. it's not for the faint hearted. it's piece of it's on a very delicate piece of skin. in boxing is skin. so a cut in boxing is different a cut in everyday different to a cut in everyday life. if you're an opponent, life. and if you're an opponent, especially a ruthless one, a highly one like highly skilled one like oleksandr usyk , you're going oleksandr usyk, you're going to target take target that. it could take a yean target that. it could take a year, it could take a year for it to heal fully. then, has it to heal fully. even then, has it to heal fully. even then, has it filled? healed it filled? has it healed properly you're still, properly because you're still, as i say , for a boxer, skilled as i say, for a boxer, skilled boxer, it's going to be a target andifs boxer, it's going to be a target and it's going to be a worry. it could play on the mind of tyson fury. says he was in fury. tyson fury says he was in tremendous . usyk's camp tremendous shape. usyk's camp were was very, very tremendous shape. usyk's camp were actually. was very, very tremendous shape. usyk's camp were actually. heras very, very tremendous shape. usyk's camp were actually. he issued', very cheeky actually. he issued a statement last night saying wishing soonest recovery. wishing you soonest recovery. god sign . think of god sent you a sign. think of retirement, brother. >> oh , ouch. >> oh, ouch. >> oh, ouch. >> so i don't think look it's been we think it might happen this summer . been we think it might happen this summer. uh, there could be some kidology around the cut as

well. don't forget. it could be. maybe we've seen it, but it could worse than it could look worse than it actually is. there's that possibility yeah possibility as well. yeah there are now, are serious doubts, though. now, given given this fight was meant to take place on december 23rd, it was to be christmas it was meant to be a christmas dust that could dust up. given that it could have happen time last year have happen this time last year or in the year. have happen this time last year or have in the year. have happen this time last year or have beenn the year. have happen this time last year or have been athe year. have happen this time last year or have been a bigyear. have happen this time last year or have been a big summer could have been a big summer blockbuster last last year, 6 or 7 ago. could be that 7 months ago. it could be that great that never happens . great fight that never happens. >> much money >> and there's so much money involved well, involved in boxing as well, isn't involved in boxing as well, isn'there is, is. this >> there is, there is. and this is what they're waiting for. they're saudi to is what they're waiting for. theythis saudi to is what they're waiting for. theythis fight saudi to is what they're waiting for. theythis fight becauseji to is what they're waiting for. theythis fight because the host this fight because the payday host this fight because the payday is just much bigger. payday is just so much bigger. it's wembley, sadly. it's bigger than wembley, sadly. and that's another thing that's gone i think gone against boxing. i think it's in it's done the sport no good in the of it's the last couple of years. it's all now. i can't all about saudi now. i can't think the last really big, think of the last really big, stellar fight that we saw on these and they're always these shores, and they're always at weird of day. at weird times of day. >> most people sukh a tv >> so most people sukh a tv audience. >> precisely. audience. >> precisely cisely. audience. >> precisely what. is >> precisely what else is happening? yeah, we've happening? rugby yeah, we've got some mean, night happening? rugby yeah, we've got somemean, night ireland >> i mean, last night ireland were outstanding . i were absolutely outstanding. i mean, were the mean, they were the pre—tournament were, pre—tournament favourites were, were france 38, 17 was the was the score. ireland's biggest win in in france since well ever

actually it's their first win there since 2018. as i say pre—tournament favourites france. i think that's because that game against ireland was taking place on home soil. i would i would say ireland did our favourites for for the our favourites for that for the six in action six nations. england in action tonight course. tonight of course. >> sure to watch >> excellent. make sure to watch that watch it whilst watching that or watch it whilst watching gb at same time. uh gb news at the same time. uh aidan magee. thank very much aidan magee. thank you very much for us this afternoon. for joining us this afternoon. you're watching and listening to gb saturday with me. dawn gb news saturday with me. dawn neesom lots more coming up on today's show, but the most important is what that important thing is what is that weather doing? let's out weather doing? let's find out what we? what jonathan, shall we? >> outlook with boxt >> a brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on . gb news. >> hello there . i'm jonathan >> hello there. i'm jonathan vautrey here with your gb news weather forecast provided by the met office . some of us have met office. some of us have managed to see a few sunny spells poked their way through over the course of today, but increasingly, as we head into the the weekend, increasingly, as we head into this the weekend, increasingly, as we head into this the the weekend, increasingly, as we head into this the cloud the weekend, increasingly, as we head into this the cloud that'sie weekend, increasingly, as we head into this the cloud that's going kend, increasingly, as we head into this the cloud that's going tord, it is the cloud that's going to be way out, turning it is the cloud that's going to be murky way out, turning it is the cloud that's going to be murky inway out, turning it is the cloud that's going to be murky in places,, turning quite murky in places, particularly southern particularly across southern half some hill

half of the uk. some hill and coastal fog around the coastal fog around tonight. the cloud eventually spreading into northern and cloud eventually spreading into northernand scotland later on as england and scotland later on as well. areas drizzle to well. some areas of drizzle to watch for a mild night for watch out for a mild night for all of us. temperatures between seven ten degrees celsius. these are where normally are actually where we'd normally expect during the daytime expect to be during the daytime at this point in the year. the rain pushing its rain that's slowly pushing its way into the northwest is all associated this warm front associated with this warm front that's pushing its way north eastwards tonight eastwards during tonight and into so it will turn into monday. so it will turn into monday. so it will turn into quite a dreary start into quite a damp, dreary start for northern ireland and then eventually that rain spreading into and into northern england and scotland day . scotland throughout the day. some drizzle still for western wales , southwest england, but wales, southwest england, but into afternoon for central into the afternoon for central england, england . we england, eastern england. we could see some sunny spells again , trying poke their way again, trying to poke their way through , a blustery again, trying to poke their way throfor| , a blustery again, trying to poke their way thro for all , a blustery again, trying to poke their way thro for all of , a blustery again, trying to poke their way thro for all of us, , a blustery again, trying to poke their way throfor all of us, somea blustery again, trying to poke their way throfor all of us, some quite tery day for all of us, some quite strong, pushing in strong, gusty winds pushing in from the southwest is a very from the southwest but is a very mild direction. so again, temperatures are going to be above average the of above average for the time of year between nine 13 c. that rain is still persistent on monday, with a rain warning in force for western scotland. could some snow on could actually see some snow on the that the the leading edge of that for the far further the south,

far north. further to the south, still cloudy with some still quite cloudy with some drizzle we hold to that drizzle and we hold on to that mild in the south during mild theme in the south during the perhaps the coming week. but perhaps something a bit chillier. arriving towards arriving for the north towards the week by. the middle of the week by. >> looks like things are heating up boxt boilers as sponsors of weather on gb news . thanks up boxt boilers as sponsors of weather on gb news. thanks very much, jonathan. >> he mentioned the word sunny. i'm taking that right. lots more coming up on today's show. the us bombs 85 iranian targets in iraq and syria as biden faces some of the toughest day as president today. all that much more to come. i'm dawn neesom and and and you're watching and listening

away - - away . hello and welcome back to away. hello and welcome back to gb news saturday. i'm dawn neesom , and for your next two neesom, and for your next two hours, i'll be keeping you company on tv, online and on digital radio. keep you up to date on the stories that date on all the stories that really you. coming up really matter to you. coming up this hour . really matter to you. coming up this hour. the united really matter to you. coming up this hour . the united states this hour. the united states have dropped more than 125 bombs on iran's military and its allies in iraq and syria on friday night, as it began retaliation for attacks on american troops. but it is further escalation in just playing into iran's hands. then the man hunt continues for a suspected chemical attacker, with police saying they found containers with corrosive

warnings during a newcastle raid. we'll bring you the very latest on that and the mother of murdered teenager brianna ghey claims she has never felt such grief as the judge sentenced her daughter's killers to life in prison. but what drove those teenage killers to commit such a terrible crime ? but this show is terrible crime? but this show is nothing without you and your views , so let me know your views, so let me know your thoughts on all the stories we're discussing today. email me at gbviews@gbnews.uk . com or at gbviews@gbnews.uk. com or message me on our socials . message me on our socials. really easy at gb news. but first let's have a look at what the news headlines are with erin armstrong . armstrong. >> very good afternoon to you. it's a minute past one. i'm aaron armstrong in the gb newsroom, the northern ireland assembly is meeting at stormont for the first time in two years, with set with power sharing set to be restored. it follows an

agreement between the dup and the government post—brexit the government over post—brexit trade . sinn fein vice president trade. sinn fein vice president michelle o'neill has described it as an historic day. she'll become the country's first nationalist first minister. it's being thought of as a landmark moment for a party that aspires to one day unite with the repubuc to one day unite with the republic of ireland as one country. the dup is yet to confirm who will be its deputy first minister, a role that carries equal legal power. voters though, say it's taken too long to reach this point . too long to reach this point. >> i think it's about time. >> i think it's about time. >> i think that's what probably most people would say. um, it's been such a, you know, gap and been such a, you know, a gap and a a lull in having any a and a lull in not having any degree of government whatsoever. and it's been detrimental and it's been very detrimental to, to everyone involved. >> i think it's a good thing that they're all back going back, because at the end of the day, they're getting paid . for day, they're getting paid. for doing nothing, not only are they

just got back, we've just been told they're getting their full pay told they're getting their full pay and there's going on pay and there's people going on strike, get money, pay and there's people going on striithey get money, pay and there's people going on striithey get get money, pay and there's people going on striithey get there get money, pay and there's people going on striithey get there straight)ney, but they get there straight away, that place. away, just like that place. >> still searching >> are still searching for a suspected attacker. >> are still searching for a suspecte> are still searching for a suspecte> are still searching for a suspecte

afghan community is that women are lesser mortals than dogs. >> so if he's with a group of afghans who think he's quite rightly punished , potentially rightly punished, potentially someone who was in a relationship, they will almost see nothing wrong with what he's done. >> the uk says it remains a steadfast ally of the united states after washington launched dozens of strikes in the middle . dozens of strikes in the middle. east where nearly 40 people, including civilians, have been killed as a result of 85 targets being struck in syria and iraq. the action was in response to a drone attack on a us military base that killed three soldiers last weekend . the government last weekend. the government says it supports washington's right to respond to attacks from militant groups linked to iran, iraq , though, has warned the iraq, though, has warned the strikes will have disastrous consequences the region . consequences for the region. well, the home office, uh, is being urged to carry out an

urgent review to into how the suspected chemical attack, or abdul ezedi, was allowed to remain in the uk. he's from afghanistan. he was convicted of a sexual offence in 2018 and was given a suspended sentence . he given a suspended sentence. he was granted asylum after two failed attempts when a priest confirmed converted to confirmed he had converted to christianity . french police have christianity. french police have ruled out terrorism as a motive for a knife attack at a train station in paris. earlier, a suspect has been arrested following the incident at gard leon this morning . three people leon this morning. three people were hurt but did not suffer life threatening injuries . life threatening injuries. french media say the attack was from mali and carried an italian driving license . it's the train driving license. it's the train drivers strike is again hitting parts of the country. members of aslef at avanti west coast, east midlands and west midlands railway are staging a 24 hour walkout over pay and conditions . walkout over pay and conditions. the action started earlier this week and will also continue on monday, while a ban on overtime

will last until tuc today, so there's likely to be disruption across the country. aslef says drivers have not had a pay rise for almost five years. the government, though, is urging the union to accept an offer made last year and a senior conservative mp will stand down at the next general election for family reasons. sir bob neill served as an mp since 2006 and was a junior minister in the coalition government under david cameron . he joins a series of cameron. he joins a series of mps who've announced they won't contest the next election, expected to be held in the autumn . if you want more on all autumn. if you want more on all of our stories, you can sign up to gb news alerts . scan the qr to gb news alerts. scan the qr code that's on your screen right now, or go to the website gb news.com now, or go to the website gbnews.com slash alerts. now it's back to dawn . it's back to dawn. >> thank you very much, aaron. right. let's get straight into today's story, shall we? the us military launched air strikes in iraq and syria yesterday,

hitting more than 85 iranian targets . that's as president joe targets. that's as president joe biden claims. these strikes are just the beginning as he faces what is considered to be the most dangerous days of his presidency . see, this all comes presidency. see, this all comes after a deadly drone attack in jordan that killed three us troops and injured 43 others. joining me now to bring us up to date on this story is gb news senior political commentator, nigel nelson . again, scary news nigel nelson. again, scary news coming from this region . can you coming from this region. can you bnng coming from this region. can you bring us up to date on what's happened? >> yes. i mean, we know that that 125 bombs were dropped by us warplanes in syria and iraq. they're targeting iran backed militia . there's, um, and the militia. there's, um, and the question really is what happens next? it looks like when the warnings from the white house that more strikes will be on the way . so you can expect to see way. so you can expect to see more action either later on today or tomorrow . today or tomorrow. >> nigel, unlike the houthi

strikes and the red sea, though, which the, uh, our armed forces were involved in, this is just america . it's not us. although america. it's not us. although we're back in the american strikes. it's not us taking part, is it? >> yes. that's right . part, is it? >> yes. that's right. i mean, the difference between between this and what was going on in the sea , um, is that we were the red sea, um, is that we were obviously involved there. we had ships sea. it was ships in the red sea. it was necessary for us to get involved. so um, it's slightly different in this situation where just american service personnel were actually targeted . and so no reason why we should take direct military action. although, as you say, dawn, we are supporting the americans in what they're doing. >> and, um , no one seems to be >> and, um, no one seems to be backing down in this. and, um, the national security council in america, john kirby says we don't want to go to war with iran, and iran doesn't want to go to war with us, but we've got to do what we've got to do. it sounds like this is the beginning rather than the end . beginning rather than the end. >> well, the important thing is

that the american action has got to be proportionate and i think there was some surprise that the americans didn't act sooner. but there was good reason for this . there was good reason for this. what they wanted to do was give the iranians plenty of warning. now iran says that they don't. they don't control these militias , however, by warning militias, however, by warning them if they had iranian commanders on the ground, they they could actually get out of harm's way in time. and it is significant . the americans are significant. the americans are striking in syria and iraq, not in iran , which is obviously to in iran, which is obviously to try to not let things escalate. well this is this is the confusion here, isn't it? >> and the danger, it's like syria and iraq are the countries that have actually been bombed, not iran. i mean, obviously we're grateful they're not bombing iran because, i mean, they of they are on the verge of developing nuclear warheads, but it's iraq it's dragging syria and iraq more into this conflict . more into this conflict. >> yes . i more into this conflict. >> yes. i mean, i think that obviously there are there are, um, there's a lot of grumbling from syria and iraq about this.

iraq says it's a it's a violation of their sovereignty . violation of their sovereignty. it's of course it is. but i mean, this is where these militias operate from. they've attacked the american forces 160 times over the last three months. so you can understand that the americans are going going for them . and also they're going for them. and also they're actually going more for equipment and sites and trying to avoid casualties . so the idea to avoid casualties. so the idea is trying to do to degrade the operational capability of these militias . militias. >> and finally, nigel anthony blinken, the us secretary of state, is due to arrive in the region , i believe, this week end region, i believe, this week end . um, in an attempt to secure the release of the hostages that are still being held by hamas and that's from october the 7th. he how helpful or otherwise is this latest development ? this latest development? >> well, it's not i mean , >> well, it's not i mean, obviously, uh, any kind of military action is not helpful . military action is not helpful. well, especially as there are promising signs in gaza that we

are on the verge of a ceasefire. if a deal can be done . are on the verge of a ceasefire. if a deal can be done. um, and that and that is, is absolutely crucial. now, what is going on elsewhere in the middle east is, of course, linked to gaza. uh, what we've got to hope for is that everything is kept fairly what we've got to hope for is that key rything is kept fairly what we've got to hope for is thatkey ,ything is kept fairly what we've got to hope for is that key , that; is kept fairly what we've got to hope for is that key , that america fairly what we've got to hope for is that key , that america doesn't go low key, that america doesn't go too far here, that iran doesn't strike back . and this whole strike back. and this whole thing then escalates into a full blown war or the signs are that both sides are trying to keep the keeper of passionate response. so you'll get a lot of sort of bellicose language, but let's hope it doesn't turn into hostile action. >> and hallelujah to that one. right. thank you very much. that's nigel nelson , our that's nigel nelson, our political correspondent for gb news. thank you very much for joining us. now for all the best analysis opinion on that analysis and opinion on that story, to our website gb story, go to our website gb news. dot com. now we move to another once troubled area and some would say still is the northern ireland assembly in stormont is meeting following a

two year break after the collapse of power sharing. michelle o'neill , the sinn michelle o'neill, the sinn fein's deputy leader, is set to make history as the first nationalist to hold the role of first minister at the assembly . first minister at the assembly. joining to explain this joining me now to explain this complicated story is gb news northern ireland reporter dougie beattie good evening, good afternoon or good morning , afternoon or good morning, actually it's afternoon. good afternoon. dougie, i don't know what day is. afternoon what day it is. good afternoon dougie. is very dougie. um, now, this is very complex . so exactly is complex. so what exactly is happening now ? happening now? >> well, as as we come on air here, the mlas have just entered the assembly chamber. they are now trying to elect a speaker. they will have to elect three speakers. two deputies and one speaken speakers. two deputies and one speaker. otherwise business cannot continue . uh, and as they cannot continue. uh, and as they 90, cannot continue. uh, and as they go, that has to go through what's called a dhondt system. it has to go into cross community voting. so it has to be from both nationalist and unionist agreeing that in order that the rest of the ministerial posts can be formed, including , posts can be formed, including, more importantly and very

historically, the first minister and deputy first minister. now since 1998, 25 years ago, it has always been a unionist first minister. uh, sinn fein took 28 seats in the last election, which gives them the right to now become the first minister and that will be michelle o'neill. but this is political high stakes because even the president of sinn fein, mary lou mcdonald , who is trying to win mcdonald, who is trying to win the majority of seats in the repubuc the majority of seats in the republic of ireland, uh, was up just a short time ago. uh to show her support because, of course , although they are the course, although they are the biggest party in the south of ireland, they are not yet the tarnished t shock or any of those big or big powerful parts in there, because they don't hold enough to form a government . there's coalition government . there's a coalition government in south, and they believe in the south, and they believe if voters in the south can if the voters in the south can look say , well, after look north and say, well, after all troubles and so forth, all the troubles and so forth, that happened in the north, that unionists are to prepared settle for a nationalist first minister will then surely that's not out

of reach in the republic of ireland. but on the other side of that coin, have of that coin, you have sir jeffrey donaldson of the dup, who the dup remember collapsed this place two years ago because of the post—brexit trade arrangements , mainly the arrangements, mainly the protocol, being of my life. protocol, the being of my life. to be honest, over the last two years and they have now pretty confident they have secured of the free flow of goods between northern ireland and the rest of the uk that sees them fit, that they will go back into government, but they will be counting on constitutional issues that people enjoy . the issues that people enjoy. the benefits of the union far better , so therefore will not vote in a border poll to leave the united kingdom. so what is happening here today? probably has more to go within the next five years. on how this government actually performs in that time as to whether both parties want northern ireland to blur or flourish and bloom and become a safer part of the union, or does one side or the other one need to go more

towards united ireland? it is only the start of a very, very long journey. >> can you say at least it's a positive start there? uh dougie beattie . thank you very much for beattie. thank you very much for bringing that today on the return of stormont. um, that's our gb news northern ireland reporter, dougie there. thank you. the mother of murdered you. now the mother of murdered teenage ager brianna ghey claims that she has never felt such grief as the judge sentenced her daughter's to life in prison. that it's the family of one of the killers. also showed compassion, describing situation as being beyond their worst nightmare. 16 year old scarlett jenkinson , who for the first jenkinson, who for the first time admitted stabbing the transgender teen , will serve transgender teen, will serve a minimum of 22 years as her accomplice . lewis eddie accomplice. lewis eddie radcliffe was given a minimum of 20 years. now joining me now to talk about this horrific story is former special adviser to michael gove, charlie rowley, and broadcast and journalist claire muldoon . um, claire, i'm claire muldoon. um, claire, i'm going to come to you first

because you're a mum. yes. you've got four, four, four youngsters. um what what do you make of what we've seen with the sentencing and the fact that these two youngsters were 15 when they committed this crime ? when they committed this crime? um, have been named now . well, i um, have been named now. well, i think it's right. and just. and i think the reports behind the atrocity of what happened to brianna ghey, um , unfold, brianna ghey, um, unfold, there's been a lot of, um, important information that's been released by the police. in fact , on my way to work here, fact, on my way to work here, i was listening to a podcast and the documentation of the whatsapp messages and indeed the other messages between the two killers was staggering . now, killers was staggering. now, i know there's the argument of nature versus nurture, but in my view, dawn , this is actually view, dawn, this is actually pure evil , unadulterated evil pure evil, unadulterated evil and we don't like to speak about the word evil because apparently we can't be evil or we can be this or that. everyone can be what they want to be. but this is downright callous. heartlessness and in fact, it mirrors actually , in some way, mirrors actually, in some way,

what happened to poorjamie what happened to poor jamie bulger. think to disclose bulger. and i think to disclose the names, i think is i feel very, very bad , obviously, for very, very bad, obviously, for brianna ghey, his elder sister, her mum, her stepdad , her dad, her mum, her stepdad, her dad, um, and the whole of the school community. but but the other, the other impact here is of is also go on that of the families of the killers because they have to live with that. as a mother, i don't know how you could countenance that, knowing what your child has done. it's incredibly it's tough for all the families involved . and the families involved. and they're victims, too, don. they are . they really are. so with are. they really are. so with that in mind, the fact that the victims , the killers families, victims, the killers families, their names are out there now, we've seen pictures of them , we've seen pictures of them, charlie. i mean, should they have been named, do you think? yes they should. >> they are as claire said, cold blooded murderers . and for blooded murderers. and for whatever reason and for whatever the circumstances in the background, i'm sure a lot of that will be coming out in the press. are people who, press. but these are people who,

uh, premeditated , uh, planned an uh, premeditated, uh, planned an attack to lure a teenage girl. one of their classmates, a transgender girl , into the woods transgender girl, into the woods to brutally stab multiple times to brutally stab multiple times to take a life from someone in is abhorrent. it's sadistic. it's brutal. it's everything the judge described it to be. and for that reason, absolutely. it is going to be difficult on families on both sides, but it is the public interest. yes, is in the public interest. yes, to these two to know exactly who these two were. why they did what they did and what they did in the detail of, however , uh, evil, as claire of, however, uh, evil, as claire said, and however difficult it is to hear, it is absolutely in the public interest to know. >> do you think, though , claire, >> do you think, though, claire, that there is a danger now that we their names rather we remember their names rather than brianna's? no, i don't i really don't i think, um , as really don't i think, um, as what's happened to, uh, thompson and venables , they actually, and venables, they actually, i think they've been put into witness protection. one of them. who? or there's something going on. um, and i think the same thing will happen because they will be incarcerated. i think,

uh, justice yip said for 30 years, was it the sentence ? yes, yes. >> um, so they're only 16 now. >> um, so they're only 16 now. >> um, so they're only 16 now. >> um, so they will still have, you know, a formative life after sentence . well, well, it's 22 sentence. well, well, it's 22 years and 20 years. um, but as you say, they must serve a minimum of 20 years. and they are only 16 now. >> yes. um and brianna has no more life. >> absolutely . and, um, the one >> absolutely. and, um, the one thing i would say, which i just think is really important, is the, uh, and i don't know if it's talked about enough, it's been talked about enough, which is and there's no blame, there's absolutely. which is and there's no blame, therit's absolutely. which is and there's no blame, therit's the absolutely. which is and there's no blame, therit's the ills, absolutely. which is and there's no blame, therit's the ills, i absolutely. which is and there's no blame, therit's the ills, i think, utely. which is and there's no blame, therit's the ills, i think, of ly. but it's the ills, i think, of the dark and social media. the dark web and social media. and i bring that out the dark web and social media. arbecause i bring that out the dark web and social media. arbecause , i bring that out the dark web and social media. arbecause , uh i bring that out the dark web and social media. arbecause , uh brianna:hat out the dark web and social media. arbecause , uh brianna gheyut the dark web and social media. arbecause , uh brianna ghey was is because, uh brianna ghey was a very well known social media tick. >> tock, tiktok thousand followers on tiktok. >> she had thousands of followers because of her journey, because of her story. but reality she was but the reality was she was incredibly lonely. she had difficulties , she didn't make difficulties, she didn't make friends easily. and that makes this even sadistic , this murder even more sadistic, because she was lured on false pretences she friends pretences that she had friends and be killed,

and was going to be killed, but also perpetrators turned also so the perpetrators turned to the dark web to work out, to plot, to plan, to , um, uh, plot, to plan, to, um, uh, produce such a crime that they did. it is the ill and the horror of a modern day society . horror of a modern day society. and that's very different to the jamie bulger, because obviously you internet, you didn't have the internet, but going make that that >> i was going to make that that same the dark web didn't same point. the dark web didn't kill brianna ghey those two evil, evil, evil children killed her and the honest to goodness. i think the way this has been reported now is really good, because there's a of facts because there's a lot of facts out public to learn from out for the public to learn from the messages. the forensic plan saying that those two we've seen together in the pink, sort of like gel pen , that she and the like gel pen, that she and the messages went from, oh, i'm having my tea to did you buy the knife? it was that disjointed. it was that disparate. it was that unusual. >> well, they made it normal, didn't they? they normalised it completely exactly . and completely and exactly. and after the murder, i think it was eddie ratcliffe just got on the bus and went home. >> in the bloodstained >> and in the bloodstained clothes ghey, if

clothes of brianna ghey, as if nothing had happened. >> absolutely >> so you're absolutely right. these individuals these are two individuals who, regardless of the background or whether was or not, whether the web was used or not, they blooded murderers. they are cold blooded murderers. it right that it is absolutely right that they've and i think, they've been named and i think, you the judge handed you know, the judge has handed the most appropriate sentence, obviously, other obviously, with with the other case, very aware of case, everyone's very aware of the murder of our, um , of the murder of our, um, of thompson and venables. >> yes. um, jemmy bulger. yes jenny bulger. sorry. now, they didn't have social media. they weren't. no. that quite clearly. but we also know they came from incredibly backgrounds . incredibly troubled backgrounds. no excuse. i'm not saying that's an these two didn't >> well, these two didn't exactly that clear. >> now, we know that with jenkins ratcliffe, they jenkins and ratcliffe, they didn't they is didn't. they had what is perceived as good family . yes. perceived as good family. yes. so how how can this happen? where what went wrong? >> see, i think that's i think that's where the web came into this, where i said the dark web didn't kill brianna ghey. these two, did they? i think the web definitely enabled and got them thinking, but even their journey to when they met together, i

mean, there were six other children that they had planned to kill. yes so this is not, you know, an isolated incident. unfortunately unfortunately, they were caught . so the other they were caught. so the other 6 or 5 could not have been murdered . so when did this murdered. so when did this start? i don't know , but it goes start? i don't know, but it goes back to my previous initial point of they're intrinsically evil. what >> what is evil, charlie? i mean, can a baby be evil ? is it mean, can a baby be evil? is it born evil ? born evil? >> um, look, i think , you know, >> um, look, i think, you know, we've all probably got a genes that, you know, if tapped into, if there's a trigger or if something you know goes wrong, then then it could be exposed. but i don't think i'd like to think people aren't born evil. but i do think , you know, it is. but i do think, you know, it is. there is a nurture and nurture aspect it. so i think if you aspect to it. so i think if you live an environment that's live in an environment that's sort litter, sort of covered in litter, graffiti, and sort of covered in litter, gra the and sort of covered in litter, gra the of and sort of covered in litter, grathe of it, and sort of covered in litter, grathe of it, you're and sort of covered in litter, grathe of it, you're more! all the rest of it, you're more likely to probably drop your can of bar of coke or or chocolate bar wrapper is wrapper or whatever it is because you don't. because you want you don't. you don't in the society. don't believe in the society. you're not contributing to

community. down. community. it's all run down. you know, running it you end up, you know, running it down yourself. think down yourself. so i think there can of the nurture can be aspects of the nurture that personality that changes your personality depending situations depending on the situations you're that is you're in. but i think that is something the vast and overwhelming, . overwhelming, obviously. absolutely. the overwhelming majority of us. but what makes two very normal two people from very normal backgrounds , so far as we know? backgrounds, so far as we know? um, to go online be um, but to go online to be triggered by it is that triggered by whatever it is that they've to by, they've been triggered to by, plot and plan to do all of the evil they've evil things that that they've done, right to use done, and it is right to use that word evil, um, to go on and then carry even just then carry it out, even just thinking about it or researching, is some thinking about it or rese of hing, is some thinking about it or rese of fantasy. is some thinking about it or rese of fantasy. well, is some thinking about it or rese of fantasy. well, there'sne sort of fantasy. well, there's fantasy, there's fantasy, but then there's carrying out reality of it, carrying out the reality of it, which is even more one, one word that glad haven't heard in that i'm glad i haven't heard in any the reporting is mental health. >> and that, i mean, i would have hated those two to have been given any leniency in any , been given any leniency in any, any form of, of forgiveness or, um, you know , minimisation um, you know, minimisation actually, of what, what they had done by using the mental health card. >> well, it's interesting the judge did say that, um , jenkins

judge did say that, um, jenkins and scarlett jenkins and the girl had been diagnosed with a severe form of conduct is a social disorder, but it wasn't responsible for her exactly . um, responsible for her exactly. um, we have to. i'm fortunately, we have to move on. but fortunately, because it is such a such a hard story to talk, it is. um. so thank you very much for joining me. that's claire forjoining me. that's claire malden and charlie rowley there talking about one of the one of the big horrible stories the two big horrible stories today. you. the man today. thank you. now, the man continues for a suspected chemical attacker, with police saying they found containers with corrosive warnings during a newcastle raid. an image has been released of abdul azizi, who was last seen at london's kings cross underground station on wednesday evening . uh, on wednesday evening. uh, joining me now is former scotland yard detective peter bleksley. um, to bring us up to date on the story, what's happening and try and explain why this this man, this creature is still at large, even though he he obviously has a very obvious facial wound. peter.

>> yes. well i'd like to be able to say to viewers and listeners that there's been some kind of significant development that we've heard from the police, that they've pinpointed , ended that they've pinpointed, ended their search to a particular area, that they've got him hemmed in, and it's only a matter of time, but unfortunately , i cannot say any unfortunately, i cannot say any of that. the police spoke to the media about 21 hours ago, and since then there has been a deafening silence, which of course opens the floodgates for people to speculate and so many are asking the question in not only of me, but online why have the police not caught him yet? and that is an entirely justified question . justified question. >> so, so, but what is the i mean , there is speculation that mean, there is speculation that maybe he's he's taken his own life, but he doesn't sound like the type of person to do that. that somebody protecting him, that somebody is protecting him, which more horrific which is even more horrific horror on horror with this story or that maybe the other speculation i read that he has

disguised himself some way, maybe in a in a full islamic dress, like a burka or something. so you can't see his injuries. >> well , if people injuries. >> well, if people are harbouring him, helping him, feeding him, clothing him, putting a roof over his head, perhaps misguidedly giving him some form of medical treatment , some form of medical treatment, then they will be committing a very serious criminal offence . very serious criminal offence. there is a particular offence of assisting an offender. there's also the offence of perverting the course of justice, which anybody who is providing help to him could be, could find themselves arrested and charged with. so and let's remember that only this week a woman was charged with assisting daniel khalife, who escaped from wandsworth prison. now i know khalife is to stand trial and he is denying the charges against him, but that i use that merely

as an indicator to show that the police investigation into any kind of fugitive hunt can sometimes last for many months after someone has been captured. now if azadi has taken his own life, thrown himself off a cliff, in a ditch, in a canal, or howsoever he may have chosen to do that, then of course it could be some time until a body is found, but there's been no indicators from the police that thatis indicators from the police that that is the nature of their search. they told us yesterday they've got a considerable number of experienced detectives working on this case. they've searched five premises using searched five premises using search warrants and the hunt is very much ongoing . very much ongoing. >> and let's hope they find him a very soon indeed. peter bleksley former met detective there on the ongoing hunt for abdul ezedi, the attacker from clapham common. if you're watching and listening to gb news saturday with me dawn neesom lots more coming up on today's show. hundreds of

farmers are protested this week outside the eu headquarters as tempers flared over better working conditions should the eu give in to their demands and relax environmental rules for better working conditions . all better working conditions. all of that and much more to come. i'm dawn neesom and you're watching and listening to gb news, britain's news channel

isabel monday to thursdays from. six till 930. join me camilla tominey at 930 on sunday morning for a gb news exclusive, when i

will be speaking to former home secretary suella braverman. >> i'll be getting her reaction to the news that immigration is set to add 6 million people to the uk population by 2036. i'll also be joined by education secretary gillian keegan and labour's chris bryant for what is shaping up to be an unmissable show. all that and more with me camilla tominey from 930 on sunday morning . from 930 on sunday morning. welcome back to gb news saturday with me dawn neesom on your tv, onune with me dawn neesom on your tv, online and on digital radio. >> now , uh, it's been reported >> now, uh, it's been reported that harry and meghan are set to release more documentaries on netflix, but will you be watching and do get in touch? send me your thoughts, emailing us on gbviews@gbnews.com or message me on our socials at gb news. but first, here's the news headunes news. but first, here's the news headlines with aaron armstrong .

headlines with aaron armstrong. >> hi there , it's 132. headlines with aaron armstrong. >> hi there , it's132. i'm aaron >> hi there, it's132. i'm aaron armstrong, the northern ireland assembly is meeting at stormont for the first time in two years, with power sharing set to be restored. it follows an agreement between the dup and the over post—brexit the government over post—brexit trade arrangements. the sinn fein vice president, michelle o'neill , has described it as an o'neill, has described it as an historic day. she will become the country's first nationalist, first minister. the dup is yet to confirm who will be its deputy first minister, a role that carries equal legal power for the members. mlas must first, though, elect a new speaken first, though, elect a new speaker. a reaction as we go through the afternoon here on gb news. meanwhile the uk says it will continue to support the united states after it launched a strikes in iraq and a series of strikes in iraq and syria targeting militant groups backed iran. nearly 40 backed by iran. nearly 40 people, including civilians , people, including civilians, have been killed as 85 strikes were hit in response to a drone attack on a us military base

that killed three soldiers last weekend . iran says the action weekend. iran says the action violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the two countries. police are still searching for a suspected chemical attacker, abdul ezedi , chemical attacker, abdul ezedi, who was last seen boarding a southbound train at london's king's cross station on wednesday night. a 31 year old mother who was attacked with a corrosive substance, remains in hospital with injuries believed to be life changing. her two young daughters were also hurt, but not as badly as first thought. the train drivers strike is again hitting parts of the country. members of aslef and avanti west coast, east midlands and west midlands railway are staging a 24 hour walkout over pay and conditions . walkout over pay and conditions. the action started earlier this week and will continue on monday , while a ban on overtime will last until tuesday , so football last until tuesday, so football fans attending league games today are among those to be affected . well. for the latest

affected. well. for the latest news, you can sign up to our alerts . scan the qr code on your alerts. scan the qr code on your screen or go to gb news .com/ alerts . alerts. >> thank you aaron and welcome back to gb news saturday, beth mead dawn neesom on your tv, onune mead dawn neesom on your tv, online and on digital radio. now lots of you have been sending your thoughts. i'm just reading through some of very through some of them. very passionate feelings. feelings running high about our running very high about our three main stories today. i'm going to start off with the manhunt chemical manhunt for the chemical attacker. um and going back to an earlier debate, we're having about describe the about how you describe the migration , illegal migration migration, illegal migration into country . uh, trish into this country. uh, trish says, , what do you call other says, um, what do you call other than invasion when thousands of young come your shores young men come to your shores uninvited and enter your country illegal? i call that an illegal? yes. i call that an invasion. again, very strong feelings here. um, steve says, um, the people coming here breaking our laws, attacking women are creating the environment of hostility, not

us. many, many of you feeling that way a lot of people are actually very , very, very upset actually very, very, very upset about this story. i understand why. meanwhile, stephen says , why. meanwhile, stephen says, uh, is there a secret of church of policy to encourage of england policy to encourage muslims to be muslims to pretend to be christians, get asylum? and christians, to get asylum? and by declaring to be christians, they back? as we they cannot be sent back? as we all the muslim tolerance all know, the muslim tolerance of naivety of other religions naivety reigns supreme. as i've said, very, very strong feelings . but very, very strong feelings. but please do keep them coming in gb views at gb news. very very hard stories to talk about. but your opinions are important and we want now we talk want to hear them now we talk about the other, um , the other about the other, um, the other subject that we have to talk about because they keep making us them. and us talk about them. harry and meghan. yes them. they are set to documentaries on to release more documentaries on netflix. duke and duchess of netflix. the duke and duchess of sussex are also reportedly working on a scripted television series, and a film adaptation as part of their 100 million, $100 million deal. right? okay cheap at half the price. hey, uh, joining me now is royal commentator ralph rafe

heydel—mankoo. ralph. thank you very much. i love your saturday afternoon chats with me about the royals. now, i thought this had all gone away. i thought they were going to be quiet now, but another netflix but there's another netflix deal but there's another netflix deathey're back . um, >> they're back. um, essentially, you know , netflix's essentially, you know, netflix's chief content officer revealed this speaking at an event said that there's a movie, a tv series, as you said, and two unscripted things which were in the very early stages of development. and i think we can assume that very early stages of development is a code word for saying, well, and meghan development is a code word for sayin had ell, and meghan development is a code word for sayin had ell, idea and meghan development is a code word for sayin had ell, idea but d meghan development is a code word for sayin had ell, idea but haveghan development is a code word for sayin had ell, idea but have done have had an idea but have done absolutely with those absolutely nothing with those ideas. the unscripted things ideas. um, the unscripted things are are supposed to be documentaries. we understand . we documentaries. we understand. we know that harry is quite keen on doing a documentary africa. doing a documentary in africa. the movie deal could be an adaptation of a 2023 novel called meet me at the lake by the canadian author. >> the rights to that, haven't they? >> yeah, that's right, khalife fortune. the series fortune. um, and the series could possibly potentially be, we don't know . there's an could possibly potentially be, we don't know. there's an idea that meghan might quite keen we don't know. there's an idea th.do iieghan might quite keen we don't know. there's an idea th.do iiefeministjht quite keen we don't know. there's an idea

th.do iiefeminist prequeluite keen we don't know. there's an idea th.do iiefeminist prequel toe keen to do a feminist prequel to great expectations by charles dickens, if you can imagine , but dickens, if you can imagine, but this would focus on miss havisham , the world's most havisham, the world's most famous jilted bride. but it's actually the timing of this announcement that i think is of the most interest, announcement that i think is of the most interest , because it the most interest, because it came two days after the media had feverish speculation about whether were troubled whether there were troubled waters at harry and meghan's production company, archewell , production company, archewell, which has just lost another critical member of staff. they've lost 17 members of staff since they got married in 2018. they've lost eight members of staff since. since arriving in california, this chap was california, and this chap was quite to success of quite crucial to the success of archewell . so and at the archewell. so and all at the same of course, people are same time of course, people are wondering is wondering whether netflix is going renew their contract going to renew their contract because , you know, million, because, you know, £80 million, $100 haven't had $100 million, they haven't had that value for money so far that much value for money so far . and also, there's been speculation to whether harry speculation as to whether harry and meghan might move over to paramount fact, paramount pictures. and in fact, they seen jamaica they were just seen in jamaica at premiere of a paramount at a premiere of a paramount pictures film about bob marley. so announcement, think , so this announcement, i think, is designed try to is really designed to try to rebut those rumours and paint a

picture, however true it might be, of harmony and productivity between netflix and archewell productions . productions. >> okay, but the harry and meghan , the six part series meghan, the six part series about them and their relationship with the royal family. most family. it was netflix's most successful launch , successful documentary launch, but everything else have done hasn't been popular, hasn't been that popular, has it? they have to revisit it? so will they have to revisit the ground of talking about the old ground of talking about harry's relationship with his family? well, i mean, their fortunes at netflix really rather show what we've all been saying . saying. >> you know, if it isn't something to with the royal something to do with the royal family, people aren't interested in meghan. you in harry and meghan. so as you say, series was say, that six part series was very, good. they very, very good. but they produced documentaries produced two other documentaries since then, heart of invictus and lived to lead neither of which had anywhere near the popularity of those other two things. know that things. we also know that netflix meghan's netflix dropped meghan's animated series pearl. um, so it may well be that that netflix decides to perhaps go the way of spotify. you may remember spotify. you may remember spotify dropped harry and meghan because a half because after two and a half years, 13 years, they'd only produced 13 hours podcasts , causing the hours of podcasts, causing the ceo to say that they were effing

grifters. i can say yes, yes, grifters. if i can say yes, yes, yes, you can say the word grifters. >> and you were quite polite about it the other bit, and we're running out of time, unfortunately. but there's a new book ingrid book out as well by ingrid seward, editor seward, the former editor of editor of majesty editor in chief of majesty magazine she magazine, um, where she interviews the late queen's cousin, lady elizabeth anson. what learn from that book what do we learn from that book about, well, about meghan's wedding dress. >> well, is quite >> well, this is quite interesting. the book claims that the queen disapproved most strongly of meghan's brilliant white wedding dress, which the queen is alleged to have said was virginal. for was flamboyantly virginal. for a divorcee who'd been married for a couple of years. despite that, the queen actually did like meghan very much at least at the outset. unlike prince philip , outset. unlike prince philip, the duke of edinburgh, who was very and thought very cautious and thought that she similar rmt she bore an uncanny, similar rmt to american divorcee , to another american divorcee, mrs. simpson, who of course married king edward the eighth, causing the abdication crisis. but think it's very unfair to but i think it's very unfair to compare meghan mrs. simpson . compare meghan to mrs. simpson. unfair to compare meghan to mrs. simpson. unfairto simpson. compare meghan to mrs. simpson. unfair to simpson. that is unfair to mrs. simpson. that is because i think for all of mrs. simpson's faults , wasn't as simpson's faults, she wasn't as

badly as meghan markle. badly behaved as meghan markle. she knew to how behave as a duchess even when she was in exile. wasn't giving exile. she wasn't giving interviews to the press, doing mock curtsies and essentially attacking critiquing the attacking and critiquing the monarchy at every chance. right? >> are going to go on >> we are going to go out on that. i you, honestly. that. i love you, honestly. you are. it like you are. so you say it like you think it, which is exactly what we need. and that's rafe heydel—mankoo royal commentator. historian, thank you so much for joining the saturday joining us on the saturday afternoon some controversy afternoon with some controversy opinions. you opinions. but what do you reckon? with rape? reckon? do you agree with rape? gb views at gb news you are watching and listening to gb news with me. news saturday. indeed with me. dawn there's loads news saturday. indeed with me. dawn coming there's loads news saturday. indeed with me. dawn coming up there's loads news saturday. indeed with me. dawn coming up forthere's loads news saturday. indeed with me. dawn coming up for you 3's loads news saturday. indeed with me. dawn coming up for you now»ads news saturday. indeed with me. dawn coming up for you now .ds more coming up for you now. hundreds farmers hundreds of farmers are protested week outside the protested this week outside the eu and tempers eu headquarters and tempers flared over. better working conditions and the rules the eu are forcing on the farmers . are forcing on the farmers. basically, especially around the environment, all of that and much more to come. you're watching and listening to gb news, britain's news channel, but don't go too far.

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>> good luck with that one. now hurry . crowds of farmers hurry. crowds of farmers protested this week outside the eu headquarters and tempers flared over. better working conditions. france has been at the centre of a growing dispute across europe, with tens of thousands of farmers staging demonstrations in germany, poland, belgium , italy and where poland, belgium, italy and where it originally started, which was haaland. they want environmental rules to be relaxed and help to deal with rising costs . the deal with rising costs. the scenes are actually quite violent right now. joining me now is political commentator ralph schollhammer and a deputy leader of rejoin the eu party, richard morley . gentlemen, thank richard morley. gentlemen, thank you so much forjoining me this afternoon. now now, this is a protest , i believe, that started protest, i believe, that started in holland originally. but if you could just tell us, ralph, what farmers are actually protesting about, what is the main gripe they have? what >> it depends. >> it depends. >> in the netherlands it was about fertiliser. >> here in germany, it's about the so—called diesel privilege .

the so—called diesel privilege. >> uh, in france, it's about, uh, restrictions on the use of pesticides . pesticides. >> so it's a kind of a huge bag of different issues all across europe. but the main motivation is that the agriculture sector, even though the european union spends around 380 billion on the agricultural sector every year, that they feel that they are coming under pressure and that under the conditions the eu is proposing , their outputs, their proposing, their outputs, their competitiveness will decline significantly. and it significantly. and as it currently looks like the population supporting that population is supporting that position europe. so in position all over europe. so in france, they've literally blockaded paris, haven't they? >> their tractors are on the motorway and other motorway stopping food and other things into the capital city. >> yes. but, uh, the french government, however, has shown quite a willingness to compromise. and we have to keep one thing in mind. uh, if the french start to protest, they try do very creative try to do it in very creative and intensive ways. so this is not farmers issue . this not just a farmers issue. this is also a little bit, uh, part of of of the national culture of the french. uh, the protests in germany, for example, were significantly, , uh,

significantly, let's say, uh, less inconvenient for a majority of the population. so this is not just the farmers. there is also, of course, a significant part of national culture at play i >> -- >> uh, richard, bringing you in on this one, richard, these seem to mainly about the to be mainly about the regulations have regulations that the eu have brought in and are imposing on farmers. there was one story i was about farmer was reading even about a farmer saying drones saying they're flying drones over his to seeing to see over his land to seeing to see exactly whether he's sticking by the they in the regulations they put in place. surely this is not good news the eu and the future news for the eu and the future of the eu. with so many countries involved countries now getting involved in protests , well, in these protests, well, i completely agree with ralph that the causes of this dispute are varying from country to country . varying from country to country. >> in germany, for example, one of the principal complaints that the farmers have is the withdrawal of the fuel subsidies that are being given since, uh, the ukrainian war started and now they're coming to an end and so farmers are faced with ever rising costs, larger due to the war. which of course is made

fuel prices very much more expensive. there's another factor, and that is the increase competition that comes from external outside the eu. uh, trade deals, which involves food . and that problem means that farmers can't sell their produce for the same prices as they could before. so they're faced with falling incomes and i would say that this is not just a problem that the eu faced is it's a problem that britain faces as well. britain also faces as well. britain also faces the additional problem of a huge deficit in the workers that they require 500,000 short in 2022, because of the britain's leaving the eu, and that supply of workers failing. so there are a number of problems contributing to this, uh, problem with farmers. but let's face it, farming is undergoing a revolution because of new technology , which does

of new technology, which does not favour the small farmer in france. i know that the farmers union has acknowledged the fact that the french government has subsidised them , and in fact, subsidised them, and in fact, the german government does the same. those subsidies are not so easily available in britain, and consequently i don't think the problem overall in europe is as bad as it will be in britain when these issues come to play there. let's not think that britain is immune from this problem . problem. >> ralph, do you agree with that? >> um, i have to respectfully make a slight correction of what richard said right. make a slight correction of what richard said right . the fuel richard said right. the fuel subsidies in germany did not exist because of the ukraine war. the reason they war. the reason why they were subsidised in subsidised was because in germany, gasoline taxes are paid in order to maintain the roads. but farmers don't use roads. they drive on their fields and therefore didn't have to they drive on their fields and therthea didn't have to they drive on their fields and therthea thedn't have to they drive on their fields and therthea the german; to pay the tax. the german government want pay pay the tax. the german gov because want pay pay the tax. the german gov because they want pay pay the tax. the german gov because they have pay pay the tax. the german gov because they have a pay pay the tax. the german gov because they have a huge pay pay the tax. the german govbecause they have a huge gap tax because they have a huge gap in their budget, and they want to use or the farmers to to use or abuse the farmers to kind of fill that budget hole. the other is, richard, is

the other thing is, richard, is correct, was to correct, eu policy was to support farmers . uh, on support small farmers. uh, on average uk farms are larger than european farms. this is one of the reasons why i don't see this protest in uk. but we should protest in the uk. but we should not one thing. not lose focus on one thing. a lot these regulations lot of these regulations that are london and that are planned in london and that are planned in london and that are planned in brussels are made by who no clue how by people who have no clue how farming works. example, the farming works. for example, the idea reduce the use of idea to reduce the use of fertiliser by 30% assumes that farmers europe are simply farmers in europe are simply wasting fertiliser. farmers in europe are simply wasting fertiliser . you know, wasting fertiliser. you know, like as if there is no tomorrow , like as if there is no tomorrow, which is not true. fertiliser is expensive . it got even more expensive. it got even more expensive. it got even more expensive due to war. so expensive due to the war. so there already, say very, there already, let's say very, very , uh, niggardly in the use very, uh, niggardly in the use of , of that, very, uh, niggardly in the use of, of that, of that resource. so this is a very problematic when people who don't really understand works understand how farming works start a start to formulate a regulations. this is also regulations. and this is also part these protests. so it part of these protests. so it does sound, richard, forgive me here, but it does sound like the eu do have lot eu do have a lot of responsibility for the protests we are seeing across europe. >> it's rules and regulations set by them, particularly with regard to the environment that

that they don't understand how farming seems to operate, though i >> -- >> well, i mean, you're trying to sort of push this as being an eu problem , as if britain is eu problem, as if britain is somehow immune from it because it's not part of the eu . and i it's not part of the eu. and i just don't think that's true . just don't think that's true. the problems in europe are they're bureaucracy. of course , they're bureaucracy. of course, is a major problem, but bureaucracy is also a major problem in britain, where farmers , although the households farmers, although the households we spend in britain, 7 billion more on food supplies last year than we did in the year before that. and so let's face it, this problem with farming is an issue of our age as we transform from basically a traditional system of farming into what will be in the future, which i believe will be very much more large, firm based, and of course , we're based, and of course, we're going through a revolution in this way, and the farmers have to be fairly treated and handled

dunng to be fairly treated and handled during that revolution. and i think the eu is. >> sorry, gentlemen. >> sorry, gentlemen. >> sorry, gentlemen. >> sorry, sorry , gentlemen. >> sorry, sorry, gentlemen. >> sorry, sorry, gentlemen. >> we've completely run out of time. an amazing time. it's such an amazing debate. very much. debate. um, thank you very much. that's ralph shellhammer and richard morley there debating the farmers actions across europe. you very much for europe. thank you very much for joining watching and joining us. you're watching and listening gb news beth mead listening to gb news beth mead dawn lots coming up dawn neesom. lots more coming up on today's show, but let's have a what the weather's a look at what the weather's doing with jonathan. a look at what the weather's doing brighteriathan. a look at what the weather's doing brighter outlook with boxer >> a brighter outlook with boxer , the sponsors of weather on . gb news. >> hello there. i'm jonathan vautrey here with your gb news weather forecast provided by the met office. some of us have managed few sunny managed to see a few sunny spells their through spells poked their way through over of today, but over the course of today, but increasingly, as we head into the half the weekend, increasingly, as we head into this half the weekend, increasingly, as we head into this the half the weekend, increasingly, as we head into this the cloudf the weekend, increasingly, as we head into this the cloud that'sie weekend, increasingly, as we head into this the cloud that's going kend, increasingly, as we head into this the cloud that's going tord, it is the cloud that's going to be way out , turning be winning its way out, turning quite places, quite murky in places, particularly quite murky in places, partioflarlyuk. some hill and half of the uk. some hill and coastal fog around tonight. the cloud eventually spreading into northern ireland, northern england later on as england and scotland later on as well. of drizzle to well. some areas of drizzle to watch a mild night for

watch out for a mild night for all of us. temperatures between seven ten degrees celsius. these are where normally are actually where we'd normally expect the daytime expect to be during the daytime at point in the year. the at this point in the year. the rain slowly pushing its at this point in the year. the rain into slowly pushing its at this point in the year. the rain into the owly pushing its at this point in the year. the rain into the northwest ng its at this point in the year. the rain into the northwest is its at this point in the year. the rain into the northwest is all way into the northwest is all associated warm front associated with this warm front that's pushing its way north eastwards and eastwards during tonight and into monday. so will turn eastwards during tonight and into quite ay. so will turn eastwards during tonight and into quite a'. so will turn eastwards during tonight and into quite a damp, will turn eastwards during tonight and into quite a damp, dreary'n eastwards during tonight and into quite a damp, dreary start for northern ireland and then eventually that rain spreading into england and into northern england and scotland the day . scotland throughout the day. some drizzle for west and some drizzle still for west and wales , southwest england, but wales, southwest england, but into for central into the afternoon for central england, . we england, eastern england. we could see some sunny spells again, trying to poke way again, trying to poke their way through times . a blustery again, trying to poke their way throfor| times . a blustery again, trying to poke their way thro for all times . a blustery again, trying to poke their way throfor all ofnes . a blustery again, trying to poke their way throfor all of us . a blustery again, trying to poke their way throfor all of us and a blustery again, trying to poke their way throfor all of us and quite ustery day for all of us and quite strong gusty pushing in strong gusty winds pushing in from the southwest. but that is a direction. so again, a very mild direction. so again, temperatures going to be temperatures are going to be above average the of above average for the time of year between nine that year between nine 13 c. that rain is still persistent on monday, with a rain warning in force scotland. force for western scotland. could actually see snow on could actually see some snow on the edge of that for the the leading edge of that for the far further to the south, far north. further to the south, still quite cloudy with some drizzle that drizzle and we hold on to that mild during mild theme in the south during the coming week, but perhaps something a bit chillier arriving for north towards

arriving for the north towards the week by that the middle of the week by that warm feeling inside from boxt boiler as sponsors of weather on gb news . gb news. >> thank you very much jonathan. loads more coming up on today's show. the us bombs 85 iranian targets in iraq and syria as biden faces some of the toughest days of his presidency, all that and much more to come. i'm dawn neesom you're watching and listening to gb news britain's news channel. don't go too

hello and welcome to gb news saturday i'm dawn neesom, and for the next hour i'll be keeping you company on tv, onune keeping you company on tv, online and on digital radio. keep you up to date on the keep you up to date on all the stories that matter to stories that really matter to you up, this our you now coming up, this our cracking show, the united states dropped more than 125 bombs on iran's military and its allies in iraq and syria on friday night as it began retaliation for attacks on american troops. but is this further escalation just playing into iran's hands , just playing into iran's hands, then the manhunt continues for a suspected chemical attacker, with police saying they found containers with corrosive warnings during a newcastle raid. we'll bring you the very latest on that breaking story and the bank of england this week announced it was freezing the base rate of interest at a 15 year high of 5.25. we'll be

breaking down what it means for the pennies in your pocket . but the pennies in your pocket. but this show is nothing without you and your views , so let me know and your views, so let me know all your thoughts on all the stories we're talking about and anything you want to talk about. to be honest with you, email me at gbviews@gbnews.com or message me our socials. we're at gb me on our socials. we're at gb news. first let's have a news. but first let's have a look at those headlines with aaron armstrong . aaron armstrong. >> good afternoon. it's a minute past two. i'm aaron armstrong. we start in belfast where the northern ireland assembly is meeting at stormont for the first time in two years, with power sharing set to be restored, it follows an agreement between dup and agreement between the dup and the over post—brexit the government over post—brexit trade. the sinn fein vice president, michelle o'neill, will become the country's first nationalist first minister. the dup is expected to nominate emma little—pengelly as the deputy

first sinner minister. that's a role that carries equal legal power and in the last few minutes it's been confirmed the former dup leader , edwin poots, former dup leader, edwin poots, has been elected speaker of the assembly, ahead of the session, ulster unionist party leader doug beattie said the people of northern ireland have suffered greatly in the absence of the assembly . assembly. >> i don't think the last two years of nonsense should have happened. >> i think we could have got to where today with a where we are today with a sitting and i've made sitting assembly and i've made that absolutely clear. but that point absolutely clear. but today about looking forward, today is about looking forward, looking forward to an executive of. we will start to deliver and to make northern ireland work for all of its people . for all of its people. >> and the voters say it has taken far too long to reach this point. >> i think it's about time. i think that's what probably most people would say. um, it's been such a you know, a gap and a and a lull in not having any degree of government whatsoever. and it's been very detrimental to everyone involved. >> i think it's a good thing

that they're all back. going back , because at the end of the back, because at the end of the day , they're getting paid for day, they're getting paid for doing nothing . doing nothing. >> not only are they just got back, we've just been told they're getting their pay they're getting their full pay and on and there's people going on strike, you know, to get money, but they get there straight away , just like that . , just like that. >> police are still searching for a suspected chemical attacker, abdul izadi, who has significant injuries on the right side of his face, was last seen at london's kings cross station on wednesday. a 31 year old mother, who was attacked with a corrosive substance remains in hospital . her two remains in hospital. her two young daughters were also hurt, but not as badly as first thought. forensic tests are being carried out on two empty containers was found at an address in newcastle , all with address in newcastle, all with corrosive warning labels on them. former detective chief superintendent kevin hurley says there are few steps the suspect can take. >> he has either gone into hiding or is being hidden by friends or relatives, or

alternatively , um, he's killed alternatively, um, he's killed himself because where he comes from, uh , culturally, because from, uh, culturally, because i've worked in afghanistan a couple of tours in kabul, the view of some elements of the afghan community is that women are lesser mortals . than dogs. are lesser mortals. than dogs. so if he's with a group of afghans who think he's quite rightly punished , potentially rightly punished, potentially someone who was in a relationship, they will almost see nothing wrong with what he's done. >> iraq has accused the united states of putting the middle east on the brink of an abyss. following a series of airstrikes overnight that . the us struck 85 overnight that. the us struck 85 targets in syria and iraq in response to a drone attack on a us military base that killed three soldiers last weekend . three soldiers last weekend. nearly 40 people, including civilians , have been killed. the civilians, have been killed. the uk says it remains a steadfast ally of the us and supports washington's right to respond to attacks from militant groups unked attacks from militant groups linked to iran, iraq has warned the strikes will have a

disastrous consequence for the region . french police have ruled region. french police have ruled out terrorism as a motive for a knife attack at a train station in paris. earlier, a suspect has been arrested following the incident at gare de lyon that took place this morning. three people were hurt but did not suffer life threatening injuries. french media say the attacker was from mali and was carrying an italian driving licence . the train driver strike licence. the train driver strike is again hitting parts of the country . members of aslef at country. members of aslef at avanti west coast, east midlands and west midlands railway are walking out for 24 hours over pay walking out for 24 hours over pay and conditions. the walking out for 24 hours over pay and conditions . the action pay and conditions. the action began earlier this week and will continue into monday, when a ban on overtime that will last until tuesday. football fans then therefore attending many of the league games will be affected . league games will be affected. aslef says drivers have not had a pay aslef says drivers have not had a pay rise for almost five years, but the government is urging the union to accept last year's offer .

urging the union to accept last year's offer. senior conservative mp. will stand down at the next general election for family reasons. sir bob neill served as an mp since 2006, and he was a junior minister in the coalition government under david cameron . he joins a series of cameron. he joins a series of mps who have announced they will not contest the next election , not contest the next election, expected to be held in autumn . expected to be held in autumn. well, that is it for the moment, but you can stay up to date with all of our stories by scanning the qr code on your screen right now. can go to gb news. now. or you can go to gb news. com slash alerts. now it's back to dawn . to dawn. >> thank you very much, aaron. now let's get straight into today's story , shall we? the us today's story, shall we? the us military launched air strikes in iraq and syria yesterday, hitting more than 85 iranian targets . that's as president joe targets. that's as president joe biden claims. these strikes are just the beginning as he faces what is considered to be the most dangerous days of his presidency. this all comes after a deadly drone attack in jordan that killed three us troops and

injured 40 others. join me now to bring us up to date on this story is gb news senior political commentator , nigel political commentator, nigel nelson. nigel thank you for joining us this afternoon . joining us this afternoon. nigel, can you bring us up to date on the latest developments in this? frankly scary story? >> yes. scary indeed . um, >> yes. scary indeed. um, overnight strikes in iraq and syria. uh, a number of people have been killed. there's been the predictable response from iran because it was against their their militias in these two countries. uh, iran . iran is two countries. uh, iran. iran is furious. so is iraq, who say that it was a breach of their sovereignty. uh, in america, there's a lot of debate about whether joe biden is doing the whetherjoe biden is doing the right thing. bear in mind, it's an election year. so you've got donald trump saying , actually, donald trump saying, actually, he's being too soft on iran, uh, which is a bit scary, too, because i've asked him to war with iran . with iran. >> that does sound sick. the thing is, i mean, i mean, john

kirby, the national security council has said, you know, we don't want war with iran. i mean, nobody in the right mind would. but we don't. what we've got to do, what we've got to do to use his phraseology. got to do, what we've got to do to use his phraseology . um, it to use his phraseology. um, it does sound like they are, you know, america are not going to back down any time soon on this. are they? >> no, they're not. i think you're going to see some more airstrikes over coming days . airstrikes over the coming days. um, and the question really is you've got to actually balance the balance between escalation and deterrence , what the and deterrence, what the americans are trying to do is to deter attack attacks on their troops in the region . and in troops in the region. and in fairness, they gave iran plenty of warning. i mean , we've known of warning. i mean, we've known these strikes have have have been coming , uh, at least since been coming, uh, at least since last sunday. so it gave it gave iran, iranian commanders time to get out of harm's way if they needed to. although iran says that they don't actually control the militias .

that they don't actually control the militias. um, it's a confusing picture that . confusing picture that. >> but they are funding them, aren't they ? aren't they? >> yes, they are . um, what >> yes, they are. um, what they're arguing is they don't they're arguing is they don't they don't control them. i mean, we know that , uh, that iran, uh, we know that, uh, that iran, uh, fund hamas in, in gaza , uh, they fund hamas in, in gaza, uh, they found fund hezbollah in lebanon, the houthis in yemen. so iran is a big player when it comes to this kind of thing, and it is a hostile state. the trick obviously , is that we that you obviously, is that we that you punish people who attack western forces is what you don't do is end up with a full scale war. no nobody wants that. >> indeed, nigel nelson, thank you very much for bringing up to date on the developments in the middle east. and yes, it is scary. i'm sorry. um, now for all the best analysis and opinion on that story and much more, go to our website, gb news.com . now to another scary news.com. now to another scary story . the manhunt continues for story. the manhunt continues for a suspected chemical attacker , a suspected chemical attacker, with police saying they found containers with corrosive warnings during a newcastle raid

and new image has been released of abdul ezedi, who was last seen at london's king cross underground station on wednesday evening. now saturday lunchtime , evening. now saturday lunchtime, remember? uh gb news. reporter tony mcguire joins me now from newcastle , which was where, um, newcastle, which was where, um, this this this creature was , was this this this creature was, was living. um are you there? yes. you are . thank you very much for you are. thank you very much for joining us. now, can you just bnng joining us. now, can you just bring us up to speed on what is actually newcastle . actually happening in newcastle. >> hey. good afternoon. well certainly, i have come here to baker in the north side of the city of newcastle today to kind of get a sense of who this man who's been evading the metropolitan police for slowly coming upon the 72 hour mark. now um, as to who still hasn't been caught, despite the numerous phone graphs being being put out to the media and numerous press conferences and

according to met police , some of according to met police, some of the best detectives on the force. so um, the latest really is that discovery that happened yesterday, late last night about those two empty containers, which contained some kind of alkali in the containers were covered in corrosive markings . covered in corrosive markings. and the last we heard was that forensic forensics were trying to double down to make sure that, um, the residue that was left in those containers matched that which was used in the attack on wednesday night. now obviously, the latest that we've also heard from the met office is that while the injuries sustained by the mother and her daughters, um , on wednesday daughters, um, on wednesday night is not life threatening, it will be life changing. but as i said , up here in the north end i said, up here in the north end of the country, well, this is where abdul ezedi called home at least since 2016. you know, if you've been following the story throughout the day, you'll know he arrived at the back of a lorry in 2016. he was denied

asylum twice . um, before he was , asylum twice. um, before he was, um, convicted of two sexual assaults at the newcastle magistrates court and then it seems that he converted now his he appealed his second overturn. uh asylum decline and overturned it and was granted asylum on the bafis it and was granted asylum on the basis that he was now a christian, which was supported by a member of the church and then he unfortunately for everybody who's had to follow this grisly story over the last few days, he drove down to london on wednesday and committed this heinous attack. now we've seen here in from walking about baker that the halfway house where he stays. well that's actually right next door to a women's health centre. and speaking to the locals , many and speaking to the locals, many are shocked . um, and of course, are shocked. um, and of course, there's even some suggestions about where abdul ezedi worked, what he did before , where he

what he did before, where he worked in a pizza restaurant, and we're getting an idea that perhaps he wasn't in the best place mentally. however we'll obviously have to leave such assertions to the police for now. we're sort of in a limbo stage. we're waiting to hear the next big move from the metropolitan police. there's a lot of faith up here in baker in newcastle that he will be caught. and of course, the metropolitan police. they're pleading for him to turn himself in because of those horrific eye injuries which he himself has sustained, possibly as a result of wednesday's attack . of wednesday's attack. >> tony, just, um , just quickly >> tony, just, um, just quickly he has been described by local businesses. certainly the local halal shop he used to shop in regularly as a good muslim, which sits quite uncomfortably with his claim to have converted to christian. he doesn't. it . to christian. he doesn't. it. >> i think you're being awfully generous there with with, um sits uncomfortably. it very much

seems to a lot of people that he's actually duped the home office and the immigration system and in order to stay in the country, he has essentially shown himself to be a good christian. but you know, to the locals, here he is , as you say, locals, here he is, as you say, very much seen like a good muslim, i believe maybe the butcher you're referring to said that he would perhaps take half a lamb home and keep that in the fridge at that halal butcher, and in others . another kind of and in others. another kind of comment here today was that he intended to actually go back to afghanistan , an aim where he afghanistan, an aim where he would have liked to have taken a wife now very much not the kind of language and, um, life goals that you might expect of someone who had just recently converted to christianity. >> thank you very much. there. that's tony maguire, gb news scotland reporter there live from baker in newcastle, which was where, um, abdul ezedi was living. thank you very much for joining us. now, as , as, as tony

joining us. now, as, as, as tony has just pointed out, as eddie was convicted of a sex offence in 2018, it's understood that he was twice refused asylum for being granted leave to remain in 2021. uh, he converted to christianity . 2021. uh, he converted to christianity. um, and that is where the problem is. then he couldn't be sent back to afghanistan because that would have endangered his life . he have endangered his life. he claims he was wholly committed to his new religion. doesn't sound like it, though. if you talk to the local shops in the area which seem to know him much better people handling better than the people handling his , joining is gb his appeal, joining me now is gb news, host of the saturday five. darren grimes and the former labour mp and minister of state for europe denis macshane . for europe denis macshane. gentlemen, thank you so much for joining me this afternoon. i'm sorry. it's to discuss this ongoing horror show of this story . um, but ongoing horror show of this story. um, but i ongoing horror show of this story . um, but i have to say, story. um, but i have to say, coming to you, dennis, our asylum system is utterly broken. how can this happen ? how can this happen? >> very simply because we've had

years of government before the tories and liberal democrats came in 14 years ago that haven't taken it seriously . haven't taken it seriously. >> i'm interested in this guy wandering around, going into shops , going into churches and shops, going into churches and so on. in any other european country , he wouldn't be able to country, he wouldn't be able to get into a shop or get any pubuc get into a shop or get any public service without showing an card. had cards in an id card. we had id cards in 2010. theresa may abolished them. we then had who home secretaries like priti patel, suella bravo . suella bravo. >> i'm leaving. james cleverly for the time being. >> who didn't take any of this seriously, didn't put the investment in to ship these people home quickly. you're immigration ministers like robin jenrick, all of them playing tory internal party politics and ignonng tory internal party politics and ignoring the needs of the nation who want to know who's in the country and if they've committed these sex crimes . they should, these sex crimes. they should, can and should be sent home. why not? it's the politicians . to not? it's the politicians. to blame in the sense that you can

pass a little tweak called a statutory instrument . that's statutory instrument. that's a mini law in the house of commons. on saying that you had to show five years of being a devout methodist or catholic or whatever, christianity he claimed to have converted to before it would be valid . covid before it would be valid. covid but obviously somebody told him , but obviously somebody told him, this little stunt, get on your knees, don't bang your forehead on the floor like a good muslim. hold your hands together and look up to, uh , christ on the look up to, uh, christ on the cross and you'll be safe. it's cynical . it's cross and you'll be safe. it's cynical. it's a cross and you'll be safe. it's cynical . it's a disgrace. and cynical. it's a disgrace. and it's exactly partly why the sloppiness and laziness of tory ministers is just really got to come to an end. >> you say tory ministers. however, the conservatives, some would argue playing devil's advocate, have tried to tackle the immigration problem with rwanda , for example. but labour rwanda, for example. but labour have constantly voted against pretty much everything the conservatives have put forward with regard to immigration. so whose is this? whose fault whose fault is this? whose fault is it that that poor woman is in

hospital with severe burns? that will mean she lives in pain for the rest of her life . the rest of her life. >> do you know why i don't put it to any particular party? it to down any particular party? >> a plague on all their >> i say a plague on all their houses because i would argue that actually started that this actually all started under opened in the floodgates. >> but i, i definitely think the british people right now, dawn, are being gaslit. >> there will be so many viewers watching this right now who just see and again, we vote for see time and again, we vote for robust border controls. i keep voting and keep being told that numbers will come down. >> i don't think we should be welcoming anyone through the asylum system until we can actually prove to the british pubuc actually prove to the british public that we have some semblance of sanity within the system itself . system itself. >> i think the archbishop of canterbury has a few things he ought to answer for as well, because we've heard about this before. >> the liverpool bomb, that was a guy who said he converted to christianity for at least two other recent examples. >> exactly. >> exactly. >> and it was a priest that said, yeah, yeah, yeah, of

course, you know, he's seen god. he's come to the faith. the one true god, and all the rest of it. and here we bring him in, bnng it. and here we bring him in, bring come one, come all. and the british public are just saying how naive , how stupid can saying how naive, how stupid can you be? and we are constantly causing , you know, a you be? and we are constantly causing, you know, a quick google search. the libyan in in redon that stabbed three gay men complain, right. yeah. a libyan heritage man. it was salman abdi in the manchester arena bombing. uh, iranian born man who killed an 87 year old surrogate grandma for his surrogate grandmother , for his surrogate grandmother, allegedly in what was deemed to be circumstances of appalling brutality . the list goes on, and brutality. the list goes on, and on. it's a list longer than my arm , dawn. so what are we doing arm, dawn. so what are we doing about it? people are still coming in now , so we need to get coming in now, so we need to get serious about this because until we do, it's going to happen time and again. and i do, you know, i wish we were a bit more like france think we would france because i think we would be on the streets if we were, and be.

and we ought to be. >> but then france said, sir denis, sorry, just shut the asylum system down until you can absolutely prove who you are, what background is, and why what your background is, and why you have a right to be in this country. >> that is what we should have been doing from day one. but we to you've got to have to do that, you've got to have the interrogate these. the people to interrogate these. these guys are people we haven't got. >> oh, for heaven's sake, we've got none at all. >> we don't have id cards. rishi sunak has invited in 962,000 immigrants, not asylum seekers, immigrants, not asylum seekers, immigrants from many of these countries. and we don't know who they are or why they're coming in, because we haven't trained up our own people to do these jobs. so it's all into connected, for sure. and unless we actually learn just best practice from other countries , practice from other countries, uh, i could cite examples . uh, i could cite examples. rwanda is such a red herring. we're going to send a few , two, we're going to send a few, two, uh, asylum seekers to a country that's got a dreadful human rights record that treats women a—bombed badly, and they're not

going to be under lock and key. and the only country that's tried to do that was israel. and they people from they sent some people from africa there , asylum africa down there, asylum seekers. within a couple of seekers. and within a couple of months they'd out and months they'd walked out and went it's a went back to israel. it's a diverse nation and a joke because no body robert jenrick rishi sunak priti patel theresa may would take responsibility or tell the british people we need to know who is in our country , to know who is in our country, and we can't do that unless we copy other countries in europe and have forms of identity card . and have forms of identity card. >> two things, obviously not all asylum seekers or immigrants are like this piece of filth. many of them are genuine and we can't start everyone with the same brush. we've got to be very careful that we do stick with that. i just want that. but dennis, i just want to come make about come to a point you make about id you think someone id cards. do you think someone who is willing to throw a corona of substance in a woman's face and throw a child on the floor is going to by by the rules of an id card? >> no, of course not. criminals are as many criminals going into

prison for different crimes and countries with id cards as countries with an id cards as are going into prison . countries with an id cards as are going into prison. in britain, the majority of sex offenders majority offenders and vast majority over 80% brits . they're not 80% are white brits. they're not people muslim majority people from muslim majority countries, but . what you can't countries, but. what you can't do, for example , i was at do, for example, i was at a seminar. i don't go into too many details with very senior tory politicians as myself, other labour guys and swiss politicians in switzerland. a few weeks they don't few weeks ago they said we don't understand . and britain you here understand. and britain you here you can't get medical care, you can't get school, you can't get social services unless you can show you've got an id card and have a relationship here. and we, as i said , we started doing we, as i said, we started doing that in 2010, far too late at the fag end of the labour government . the first thing government. the first thing theresa may and above all, the liberal democrats, because the left were just as reprehensible, said, oh no, this the said, oh no, this is the gestapo. have get rid of them. >> and so this man had he wanted to get it, he was working a to get it, he was working in a pizza parlour. to get it, he was working in a piz;was rlour. to get it, he was working in a piz;was rlourright? hear to get it, he was working in a pizyou; rlourright? hear to get it, he was working in a pizyou couldn't ht? hear to get it, he was working in a pizyou couldn't get hear to get it, he was working in a pizyou couldn't get that? hear to get it, he was working in a pizyou couldn't get that? yes.1r so you couldn't get that? yes. you get job

you couldn't get that job anywhere in europe unless you showed an id card showed that you had an id card and the right to be here. but darren, we appear to be going down hole of ideas. down the rabbit hole of ideas. sorry. right . it's not sorry. you're right. it's not that important. >> problem. that important. >> well, problem. that important. >> well, wouldn't. wouldn't >> well, we wouldn't we wouldn't even this discussion even be having this discussion if we hadn't welcomed a load of islamist to the islamist extremists to the country precious little country who have precious little respect women, precious respect for women, precious little respect for the laws of the land , and precious little the land, and precious little respect for actually sharing british values and views. >> i think it's absolutely absurd to actually sit there and argue that we need to be more like europe on this , when europe like europe on this, when europe is absolutely rampant with the same problems. it was angela merkel that welcomed . what half merkel that welcomed. what half 1 million to 1 million people to germany. what's that done to germany? look sweden when it germany? look at sweden when it is insanity. europe has lost is an insanity. europe has lost its mind. all right. and we in britain need to remember that. >> just leave the europe bashing behind for a second. we've >> it is a point though. >> it is a point though. >> it's a fair point. we've rishi sunak has invited exactly the same number people into

the same number of people into britain india and britain from pakistan, india and nigeria, principally and nobody is peep about that. the is saying peep about that. the well , i is saying peep about that. the well, i am well. >> oh good. >> oh good. >> i mean, very good for you . >> i mean, very good for you. it's a battery of measures that are needed. and above all, we need staff of your patrick christys one of your colleagues here saying that sorry, dennis, you keep saying we need staff, but it's the staff that have just said this week that turkey's not a safe country. >> it's the staff in the home office that are the problem. they ones that aren't they are the ones that aren't actually and that can actually insured and that we can have border policy have a robust border policy that ensures british public ensures that the british public are safe, that so i don't understand why you keep saying this. the staff right now are saying turkey, where 3 million british people don't go on holiday, isn't safe to send migrants back to. it's a real, real problem. >> unfortunately, because if you really want the sexist and ugly anti—women , i mean, uh, people anti—women, i mean, uh, people in this britain, in this country talk to ofcom and ask why they

don't their head of ofcom is an elite member of the blob, doubled her salary when she went to run ofcom. done nothing to stop online sexual abuse, especially of children . on we go especially of children. on we go right back to the object ification of children in by rupert murdoch that just turned our country into sort of cheap, sleazy, low, low grade porn in our own newspapers . our own newspapers. >> i think we're going we're going up a bit, i think, and unfortunately, we are running out of time. and i just want to again, stress that not all asylum seekers and migrants in country islamic extremists. country are islamic extremists. but quite clearly but this person quite clearly had our, um , some issue going had our, um, some issue going on.and had our, um, some issue going on. and the fact that he did lie to convert to christianity is, is a huge part of this story here, as are the people that actually stamped him to stay here despite being a sex attacker. now we move on from that story. thank you very much, gentlemen. that's our, um, darren grimes and denis macshane thank you very much for joining me that story. now former dup me on that story. now former dup leader edwin poots has been elected of the northern

elected speaker of the northern ireland assembly following a two year break after the collapse of power, power sharing . michelle power, power sharing. michelle o'neill, sinn fein's deputy leader, is set to make history as the first nationalist to hold the role of first minister at the role of first minister at the assembly . history the role of first minister at the assembly. history being made right now . joining me now is gb right now. joining me now is gb news northern ireland reporter dougie beattie t to bring us up to speed on what's happening. good afternoon again, dougie. what's happening right there now i >> -- >> well, right behind me now is the great hall. and just in behind that is the electoral chamber , where michelle o'neill, chamber, where michelle o'neill, the northern leader of sinn fein , is speaking to the house to accept the nomination for first minister. these are indeed change days, 25 years ago, you would never have thought that would never have thought that would have happened . in fact, it would have happened. in fact, it was the sdlp that was the top nationalist party and the ulster unionist party that represented unionism. now we have the dup , unionism. now we have the dup, which we're very much in the

minority in 1998, and sinn fein, who are also in the minority, electing first and deputy first ministers. but as you say, michelle o'neill makes history by being the first nationalist leader of northern ireland. uh, it is quite strange, but it is political high wire manoeuvring because in the republic of ireland, sinn fein are trying to, uh, become the taoiseach there they are ahead in the polls of fenagh foyle and fine gael polls of fenagh foyle and fine gael. and this means a lot to them, because they're able to say to the electorate in the south well, if we're south of ireland, well, if we're good for the head of good enough for the head of government in northern ireland, surely we're good for surely we're good enough for head of government the head of government in the repubuc head of government in the republic on the other side of that, we have sir jeffrey donaldson, dup stayed out donaldson, dup that stayed out in protest over the border issues around the post—brexit trade deals, where companies in northern ireland had to pay tariffs and have their goods checked and put into lanes and basically trade was being

pointed towards europe and away from their largest. our largest market, which is in the uk. now. those talks that sir jeffrey went through with rishi sunak over the last year or so have produced, uh, a lane that has no checksin produced, uh, a lane that has no checks in it at all. and i spent yesterday talking to lots of local small businesses here that are delighted with that , but are are delighted with that, but are waiting to see how well that actually works. but today, after these two are elected, then the ministry are elected and i will be curious to see just exactly who wants what ministership . uh, who wants what ministership. uh, department of finance , education department of finance, education provider and most important for me, the department of agriculture. >> brilliant . that's dougie >> brilliant. that's dougie beattie live in northern ireland. there at stormont, which is sitting for the first time in two years. dougie, thank you very much for bringing us up to that story. you're to date on that story. you're watching and listening to gb news with me. dawn news saturday with me. dawn neesom more coming up on neesom lots more coming up on today's , so please don't go today's show, so please don't go anywhere, can put the

sunday mornings from 930 on gb news . news. join me camilla news. news. join me camilla tominey at 930 on sunday morning for a gb news exclusive, when i will be speaking to former home secretary suella braverman. >> i'll be getting her reaction to the news that immigration is set to add 6 million people to the uk population by 2036. i'll also be joined by education secretary gillian keegan and labour's chris bryant for what is shaping up to be an unmissable show . all that and

unmissable show. all that and more with me camilla tominey from 930 on sunday morning. >> hi there, it's 232. i'm aaron armstrong in the gb newsroom. michelle o'neill has been elected as the first national list, first minister of northern ireland. the sinn fein vice president has been speaking at the newly restored stormont assembly . she has said that assembly. she has said that today opens the door to the future , so power sharing, future, so power sharing, returning to northern ireland for the first time in two years following an agreement made between the dup and the government over post—brexit trade arrangements, the dup has nominated emma little—pengelly as the deputy first minister. thatis as the deputy first minister. that is a role that carries equal legal power. alongside michelle o'neill's first minister status . the former dup minister status. the former dup leader edwin poots has been

elected as the new speaker of the assembly . the uk says it the assembly. the uk says it will continue to support the united states after it launched a series of strikes in iraq and syria overnight , targeting syria overnight, targeting militant groups backed by iran. nearly 40 people, including civilians , were killed as 85 civilians, were killed as 85 sites were hit in response to a drone attack on a us military base that killed three soldiers last weekend . iran says the last weekend. iran says the action violates the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the two countries. police are still searching for a suspected chemical attacker. abdul ezedi, who was last seen boarding a southbound train at london's kings cross station on wednesday night. a 31 year old mother, who was attacked with a corrosive substance, remains in hospital with injuries thought to be life changing. her two young daughters were also hurt, but not as badly as first thought, and more misery on the rails for some of you today , the train some of you today, the train driver strike has hit parts of the country as members of aslef

at avanti west coast east midlands and west midlands railway are walking out for 24 hours over pay and conditions. it began earlier this week and will continue into next. a ban on overtime will last until tuesday, so people travelling around the country, including football fans attending league games, will be affected . that's games, will be affected. that's it for the moment, but you can get more on all of our stories by scanning the qr code on your screen. or you can go to gb news. com slash alerts. now back to dawn . thank you. to dawn. thank you. >> thank you very much aaron. welcome back to gb news saturday with me dawn neesom on your tv onune with me dawn neesom on your tv online and on digital radio. now we're going to talk money because we have to. this is actually one of the news actually one of the good news stories of the day, the way. stories of the day, by the way. um, the others are so um, because the others are so grim. this grim. the bank of england this week freezing week announced it was freezing the interest at a. the base rate of interest at a. it's a 15 year high of 5.25, but it's still frozen. the bank's committee voted 6 to 3 in favour

of holding the rate , although of holding the rate, although two wanted it increased right . two wanted it increased right. okay. one wanted a cut. chancellor jeremy okay. one wanted a cut. chancellorjeremy hunt says the chancellor jeremy hunt says the economy is on path to recovery . economy is on path to recovery. and of course, we believe the more, don't we? so joining me now is economics. economics, economics economist even teeth backing down and kc. i get so excited to talking you and co—founder of investment firm regionally, justin urquhart stewart. justin, thank you so much. my pleasure. highlight my week because i have got i'm totally clueless with money. um, no you're not. what's happened ? no you're not. what's happened? what's happened? interest rates . what's happened? interest rates. are frozen. this is good. >> that's good. they could they could have put them up some strange reason the bank of england this england still have this idea that i put interest rates up, that if i put interest rates up, it's stop inflation. it's going to stop inflation. >> you had a consumer >> well, if you had a consumer boom. yes. that's true. we haven't boom. haven't got a consumer boom. we haven't noticed that actually exactly opposite happening haven't noticed that actually ex they opposite happening haven't noticed that actually ex the moment.ysite happening haven't noticed that actually ex the moment. there'sipening haven't noticed that actually ex the moment. there's they're at the moment. there's they're worried inflation worried about actually inflation coming through. of course coming through. and of course this inflation tends to be coming chains. why. coming from supply chains. why. well what's in red well what's happening in the red sea. in the sea. what could happen in the gulf straits of hormuz. all

those things . the good is those things. the good news is a lot of industry is better prepared. so we've got alternative of places for gas to come from. and you we can come from. and you know, we can still actually find other ways of managing but there is of managing it. but there is going to be an extra cost for the containers, the shipping and adjust that. so we've learned how manage it better. but the how to manage it better. but the costs, costs are costs, the rising costs are still there. up interest still there. putting up interest rates does affect that rates in uk does not affect that in slightest . what they in the slightest. what they should have been doing is bringing to the bringing the rates up to the long we should long terme level. we should have. remember we were on emergency the banking emergency rates from the banking crisis. it should have gone up already level. so it already to a normal level. so it wouldn't be frightening the wits out by saying i've got out of people by saying i've got a mortgage at 1, it's now going to have come to go to four. rates have come down it's still this down a bit, but it's still this is jump. and this me is a huge jump. and this to me is a huge jump. and this to me is irresponsible by is irresponsible behaviour by our financial leaders. and frankly , the bank of england not frankly, the bank of england not really paying attention . i think really paying attention. i think i've before, it's bit i've said before, it's a bit like give hammer like anyone, you give a hammer to everything like a nail. to everything looks like a nail. so would say, right, so they would say, right, inflation up . inflation put interest rates up. well, it's not the 14 times was it in a row.

>> they did it. >> they did it. >> yeah. >> yeah. >> and bear in mind also if actual interest rates are on some occasions normally take about year months to about a year or 18 months to have effect . so i'm have a full effect. so i'm keeping the button like keeping pressing the button like that didn't make any sense even to no, no. that didn't make any sense even to and no. that didn't make any sense even to and so it smacks of people >> and so it smacks of people who aren't, frankly, on top of all the problem is all of this. but the problem is the for the way the responsibility for interest rates was given to the to given to the bank of england, because apparently it's now independent. well, the independent. well, the independent because governor independent because the governor of the bank of being disappointed of the bank of being disegentleman, gentlemen and the gentleman, gentlemen and ladies bank england, ladies from the bank of england, also the also had to be approved by the treasury. then also have treasury. and then you also have the who are brought treasury. and then you also have th

ageing some ageing population. so some some of us of yourself, darling. >> no, but. well you'll know it near it. >> damn , those are trying to >> damn, those are trying to hang hair, let alone hang on to our hair, let alone just brush it. um, but nonetheless, rates they've nonetheless, the rates they've been on deposits been getting on, on deposits have yeah. and of have been pathetic. yeah. and of course still below course, quite often still below the of inflation. so in the rate of inflation. so in real better off. but real terms, not better off. but what good news is we've now what the good news is we've now got flexibility in got a bit more flexibility in the mortgage market. don't the mortgage market. but don't rush to see these rates come crashing down any time soon. so i'm afraid the pain is still going to be there as ever, with these sort of things. it's the interest rates tend to up interest rates tend to go up like a rocket and down like like a rocket and come down like a they'll come down a feather, and they'll come down slowly, but we this slowly, but but we have this concern in the world, not consumer but the actual consumer booms, but the actual supply chain being stretched in the middle east. remember, we used have supply used to have the supply chain. we have awful we used to have that awful phrase was, you know, just in time problem is, time delivery. the problem is, if in time if you have just in time delivery someone snaps the delivery and someone snaps the elastic, you don't really upsets the system so news the whole system. so good news is their rates are unlikely to be going up more should be coming watch out coming down. but watch out because the political

because of the political instability trade instability with those trade areas. . areas. oh gosh. >> and a quick, quick there's one story very quickly caught my eye. close to half of all households are now charged higher rates council tax than higher rates of council tax than those buckingham palace. >> ridiculous isn't it? and this has been out of control for some time because what you actually get for your um, you get for your money, um, and, you know, we've had a period when you actually at some of the you actually look at some of the costs that have been going up and people saying, yes, but when's my rubbish being collected? bits and collected? or the other bits and pieces, let alone referred pieces, let alone have referred potholes and such riveting things . things as that. >> because >> so basically it's because westminster, where buckingham palaces haven't put their council up as much council tax charges up as much as some areas and they're not allowed to actually can control it. >> of course it.— >> of course . it. >> of course . but what you can >> of course. but what you can do if councils want to get things moving their area , things moving in their area, they they got rid they could do and they got rid of by the thatcher government years actually having of by the thatcher government years authority actually having of by the thatcher government years authority bonds. y having of by the thatcher government years authority bonds. so aving of by the thatcher government years authority bonds. so people local authority bonds. so people in the area could actually invest in local events, maybe local infrastructure for and be able allow those investments able to allow those investments to be started. now not waiting for the treasury to approve it in heaven's know when.

>> so sorry if you live in in rutland because you're actually paying rutland because you're actually paying much, much higher. in fact, the highest fact, you're paying the highest council country, much council tax in the country, much more than king sorry more than king charles. sorry about urquhart about that. uh, justin urquhart stewart, much stewart, thank you very much for joining afternoon. joining me this afternoon. always now always an absolute pleasure. now talking of money, you can win some time for the great british giveaway , and could win giveaway, and you could win £18,000 in totally tax free cash spend however you like. you can always give some to me if you want. just joking. uh fancy the chance to make it all yours? here's how you do it. >> we want ten, 20, 24 into >> we want a ten, 20, 24 into 2020. more with your chance to win £18,000 in cash to spend. however you like. you really could be the next big winner of our great british giveaway. phil from west yorkshire won our last one. listen to his reaction when we the news. we gave him the news. >> i never won a penny in my life. >> well congratulate us, you've won £10,000. >> oh my god. won £10,000. >> wowa god. >> wow! >> wow! >> for your chance to win £18,000 in tax free cash text gb win to 84 902. text cost £2 plus

one standard network rate message or post your name and number to . gb zero two, po box number to. gb zero two, po box 8690. derby d e19, double t, uk . 8690. derby d e19, double t, uk. only entrants must be 18 or oven only entrants must be 18 or over. lines closed at 5 pm. on friday. the 23rd of february. full terms and privacy notice at gbnews.com. forward slash win . gbnews.com. forward slash win. good luck . good luck. >> what he said good luck. you're watching and listening to gb news saturday with me. dawn neesom lots more coming up on today's show. the home office is facing growing pressure to carry out an urgent review into how a refugee the main suspect in this week's chemical attack, was allowed to stay in the uk. all of that and much more to come. you're watching and listening to gb news britain's news

isabel monday to thursdays from. six till 930. >> welcome back to gb news thatcherite with me dawn neesom on your tv, online and on digital radio. now the home office is facing a growing pressure to carry out an urgent review into how a refugee, the main suspect in this week's chemical attack, was allowed to stay in the uk. chemical attack, was allowed to stay in the uk . abdul ezedi, stay in the uk. abdul ezedi, a convicted sex offender, remember, is still on the run and that is three days after was last seen on wednesday evening . last seen on wednesday evening. joining me now is former scotland yard detective peter

bleksley two. explain why is he still on the run? peter, what's happening? >> well, he's either being harboured by a network of people, so they're keeping him safe, fed, watered, clothed, all of that kind of stuff. or perhaps dead , or perhaps perhaps he's dead, or perhaps he's trying to wing it on his own. when i was hunting own. but when i was hunting fugitives, what i used to do was sort imagine the distance sort of imagine the distance between and like between me and them, like a piece string and imaginary piece of string and imaginary piece of string and imaginary piece string. and what would piece of string. and what would happenis piece of string. and what would happen is you're hunting them, you of you might get a bit of information . in and that would information. in and that would shorten that piece of string as you felt you were getting closer to him. and what could happen and in this and what might happen in this case suddenly you get case is suddenly you get information information case is suddenly you get inforrinformation, nformation case is suddenly you get inforrinformation, you mation case is suddenly you get inforrinformation, you back n after information, you back that up, it the piece up, you check it out. the piece of shortens dramatically of string shortens dramatically and that person's captured how neven and that person's captured how never, as you pointed out in the intro, the last images we've been shown of this man were from wednesday evening. we're well into saturday afternoon . into saturday afternoon. saturday evening will be here before we know where we are, and that will be three entire days

and nights potentially without him being captured. now yesterday , of course, the police yesterday, of course, the police told us about the five search warrants they'd done. they told us they had a large team of experienced detectives on the case. so they're telling us all about their police endeavour. when is that? police endeavour going to turn into police embarrassment and obviously the longer it goes on, the colder that trial gets . quite possibly . that trial gets. quite possibly. but it can only it can often be just that one phone call. but i would expect another media conference from the police at some stage today, perhaps as we get to around 4:00 when it's 24 hours from their previous one, because the pictures , the images because the pictures, the images they're showing us are going to be three days old. it's dated . be three days old. it's dated. have they actually has all there endeavour got them any closer to him or are they a bit clueless. we shall have to wait and see. i hope we're all really surprised

very soon as a message pings in my phone saying, peter, he's been nicked, wouldn't that be lovely? >> peter bleksley former met detective, thank you very much for joining me, talking about forjoining me, talking about this story this absolutely horrific story thatis this absolutely horrific story that is ongoing now domestically and abroad . acid attacks are and abroad. acid attacks are perpetrated against women and girls as a means to permanently scar the survivor. globally there are approximately 1500 acid attacks a year , but it is a acid attacks a year, but it is a crime that often goes unreported for fear of reprisal. crime that often goes unreported for fear of reprisal . well, for fear of reprisal. well, joining me now is women's rights campaigner . joining me now is women's rights campaigner. elnaz sabre btec. joining me now is women's rights campaigner. elnaz sabre btec . to campaigner. elnaz sabre btec. to explain more about why this happens and how it happens. and just how common it actually is . just how common it actually is. um, elena, thank you very much for joining me this afternoon. how common are acid attacks on women on good afternoon, john, and thanks for having me . and thanks for having me. >> and these are attacks that are coming on in other parts of the world where i'm from, iran and afghanistan. we have seen many of these attacks toward

women and i would like to share some stats from a study in iran that that says that, um, these attacks that geared toward women, mostly are done. unfortunately by people who know these people and, um, um, 32% of these people and, um, um, 32% of the cases this is done by a husband or in 12, it's another family member who are unhappy with what the woman has done , with what the woman has done, and they're taking their revenge by putting acid a lot of time on their faces as similar to this to , case, to, um, in a sense, to, case, to, um, in a sense, ifs— to, case, to, um, in a sense, it's kind of like manifest the control of that man feels that should have in their body. a lot of times it's an ex—husband that's not happy divorce that's not happy with a divorce or a that that's rejected or a suitor that that's rejected . and feel, um , that they . and they feel, um, that they have the right to do this. and i want to dig a little bit deeper and go back that, um, a lot of these happens in cultures that are that are islamic cultures.

and as somebody who is born in, in a muslim family, as somebody who has lived , um, in an islamic who has lived, um, in an islamic country for 28 years, who has family , who are muslim, who has family, who are muslim, who has studied islam for 16 years as part of their education, then i feel comfortable to say that islam is a religion that does not treat men and women equally, and that kind of ends up in a view that a man sees himself better than a woman, sees that they need to have control over they need to have control over the women. this is something that the society and men does to women through hijab, and it's that feeling of control that they have, um, kind of take for granted. is what kind of causes that this kind of attacks that a man feels that they have the right to control the body of a woman who has said no to them. and in and in many cases there are like other violence, like honour kills that you have heard about. and i feel these this is

in a similar category of crime, illness. >> how worried are you that illegal and unchecked migration to the west will will spread this issue as people from the culture that thinks it is acceptable to treat women in this way comes to countries , you this way comes to countries, you know, in the west . know, in the west. >> yeah. um, it is a valid concern that i think should be addressed because there are some people that are in denial that there is this culture difference. and my understanding is that some courts in europe have been lenient when , um, have been lenient when, um, sexual assaults happen . they are sexual assaults happen. they are like, oh, there's a culture difference. very lenient. they're being lenient to disclose the statistics, which i think the first step to address a problem. but also think a problem. but i also think there needs to be, um, you know , there needs to be, um, you know, i myself am an immigrant and i, you know, i think it would be terrible for especially women and girls from country not and girls from this country not to to move out and to be able to move out and i think in the long run, we can't just say, oh, this is a problem, you're to shove this you're going to shove this people back in middle east and it's itself. it's going to solve by itself.

no. by what islamic no. as we see by what islamic repubuc no. as we see by what islamic republic in, you know, republic is doing in, you know, by proxies in iraq and by its proxies in iraq and syria, we can't just put this problem back . and i think the problem back. and i think the best way to have in the long run really wrong to solve this problem is you have muslims who are exposed liberal values , are exposed to liberal values, and they are ones who are and they are the ones who are willing to change their religion as you know, christianity has reformed itself in the past 300 years. that's a very valid point. >> thank you so much forjoining me this afternoon. really appreciate your views on that. as elena sabah boczek, a women's rights activist who was talking to us from california, right . to us from california, right. okay. well, that's it from me from today , but stay tuned from today, but stay tuned because and nana is up next looking resplendent, as always. nana it's been a hard news day, what have you. i know, god, it's been tough. >> how long for harry and meghan relief ? relief? >> oh yes, we did do a bit of harry and meghan to be fair, but um, harry and meghan to be fair, but um so show coming up, >> so on my show coming up, we're going to be about we're going to be talking about some comments angela some of the comments that angela rayner with regard to rayner made with regard to safety because

rayner made with regard to safety i because rayner made with regard to safety i do because rayner made with regard to safety i do have because rayner made with regard to safety i do have a because rayner made with regard to safety i do have a lot cause rayner made with regard to safety i do have a lot oste whilst i do have a lot of sympathy for mps, you know, they are in charge of law and order in country and they've made in this country and they've made a so they a whole mess of it. so they obviously to be obviously it's all going to be talking that. that's in talking about that. that's in my digest um the digest later on. um plus the usual i've got, jim dale, usual i've got, uh, jim dale, i know on fabulous know jim dale on my fabulous paul going, um , head to paul burgess going, um, head to head terms of climate , we're head in terms of climate, we're discussing all usual stuff. discussing all the usual stuff. i've fatima whitbread discussing all the usual stuff. i've in fatima whitbread discussing all the usual stuff. i've in live na whitbread discussing all the usual stuff. i've in live as whitbread discussing all the usual stuff. i've in live as well,read discussing all the usual stuff. i've in live as well, with all coming in live as well, with all the great work that she's been doing. coming doing. so that's coming up a strong and thank you. strong woman and thank you. >> right. you've been watching strong woman and thank you. >> ilistening|'ve been watching strong woman and thank you. >> ilistening toe been watching strong woman and thank you. >> ilistening to gb en watching and listening to gb news saturday neesom, saturday with me. dawn neesom, thank forjoining thank you so much for joining me. , but don't me. i'm back tomorrow, but don't go anywhere right now though, because nana is up next with an absolutely cracking show. um, but we join nana, let's but before we join nana, let's have a look at the weather with jonathan. >> a brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on . gb news. >> hello there . i'm jonathan >> hello there. i'm jonathan vautrey here with your gb news weather forecast provided by the met office. some of us have managed to see a few sunny

spells poked their way through over today, but over the course of today, but increasingly, we head into increasingly, as we head into the of weekend, the second half of the weekend, it cloud that's going to it is the cloud that's going to be its way out, turning be winning. its way out, turning quite places, quite murky in places, particularly quite murky in places, partioflarlyuk. some hill and half of the uk. some hill and coastal fog around tonight. the cloud eventually into cloud eventually spreading into northern ireland, northern england scotland on england and scotland later on as well . some england and scotland later on as well. some areas of england and scotland later on as well . some areas of drizzle to well. some areas of drizzle to watch for a mild night watch out for a mild night for all temperatures between all of us. temperatures between seven degrees celsius. these seven ten degrees celsius. these are actually where normally are actually where we'd normally expect during the daytime expect to be during the daytime at point in the year. the at this point in the year. the rain slowly pushing its rain that's slowly pushing its way into the northwest is all associated warm front associated with this warm front that's way north that's pushing its way north eastwards during and eastwards during tonight and into , so it will turn into monday, so it will turn into monday, so it will turn into day . dreary into quite a damp day. dreary start for northern ireland and then eventually that rain spreading into northern england then eventually that rain sprescotland) northern england then eventually that rain spre scotland throughouthgland then eventually that rain spre scotland throughouthgltday . and scotland throughout the day. some drizzle still western some drizzle still for western wales, england, wales, south—west england, but into afternoon for central into the afternoon for central england, england we england, eastern england we could see some sunny spells again, trying to poke their way through at times , but a blustery through at times, but a blustery day us, quite day for all of us, some quite strong gusty winds pushing in from but that is strong gusty winds pushing in frvery but that is strong gusty winds pushing in frvery mild but that is strong gusty winds pushing in frvery mild direction.yut that is strong gusty winds pushing in frvery mild direction. so that is strong gusty winds pushing in frvery mild direction. so again, a very mild direction. so again,

temperatures are going to be above average for the time of year between nine 13 c. that rain is still persistent on monday rain warning in monday with a rain warning in force western force for western scotland. could actually see some on could actually see some snow on the of that for the the leading edge of that for the far the south, far north. further to the south, still quite cloudy with some drizzle hold that drizzle and we hold on to that mild in south during mild theme in the south during the week. perhaps the coming week. but perhaps something a chillier something a bit chillier arriving the north towards arriving for the north towards the week by that the middle of the week by that warm inside guide from warm feeling inside guide from boxt boilers , sponsors of boxt boilers, sponsors of weather on gb news .

>> hello. good afternoon and welcome to gb news on tv , online welcome to gb news on tv, online and on digital radio. i'm nana akua and for the next few hours , akua and for the next few hours, me and my panel will be taking on some of the big topics hitting headlines right now . hitting the headlines right now. this about opinion . this show is all about opinion. it's mine, it's theirs, and of course yours . we'll be course it's yours. we'll be debating, discussing at debating, discussing and at times disagree. but no times we will disagree. but no one be cancelled . so one will be cancelled. so joining me in the next hour , joining me in the next hour, broadcaster and columnist lizzie cundy and also former labour party adviser matthew laza in a few moments time i'll be mocking the week with comedian francis foster . but first, let's get foster. but first, let's get your latest news headlines . hi there. >> it's 3:00. i'm aaron armstrong, the gb newsroom, stormont's first national first

minister, has pledged to